Weather Authority Alert Day has been cleared

Weather Authority Alert Day All Clear

ROANOKE, Va. – Wednesday Noon Update

This Weather Authority Alert Day has concluded.


Wednesday 3 AM Update

A Wind Advisory is in effect until 1 p.m. Wednesday.

A Wind Advisory is in effect until 1 p.m. Wednesday.

The threat for severe thunderstorms is over. That said, several area rivers are swelling and flooding. This includes the Roanoke and Dan Rivers.

River flooding may be an issue, especially along the Dan River, this week.

Wednesday will be a windy day. Peak gusts will be between 30 and 45 mph. That, in addition to the 1-4″ of rain we received Tuesday, will be enough for sporadic power outages.

Our strongest wind gusts Wednesday will range between 30 and 45 mph.

Snow will mainly target our west-facing slopes, but a few scattered bursts of snow will sneak into the NRV and Highlands Wednesday morning.

Snow will target the west-facing slopes Wednesday.

Most everyone is dry through the afternoon.

As for what’s next?

[CHECK THIS ARTICLE TO SEE THE NEXT STORM SYSTEM WE’RE TRACKING.]

Tuesday 11 PM Update

Watch our 11 p.m. update on what’s to come above.


Tuesday 4:30 PM Update

Flood warnings have been issued for nearly all counties in southwest Virginia. The expiration on each county differs. For more information, visit https://www.weather.gov/rnk/

Most of Southwest Virginia is under a flood warning

A tornado watch remains in place for Pittsylvania, Halifax, Charlotte, and Campbell counties until 9:00 PM this evening.

Southside and Lynchburg

Rainfall totals are beginning to get impressive. Here is a look at some of the areas that have received the most thus far. More rain is expected through the end of the day.

A look at some of the totals so far today

Wind speeds will turn gusty once all of the rain moves out. Gusts will reach into the 30-50mph range through Wednesday.

Gusty at times

Tuesday Afternoon Update

WATCH LIVE | APPCAST

Tracking flooding rain and severe thunderstorms, yes it's January! Join Chris Michaels WSLS 10 News now for an update.

Posted by WSLS 10 / WSLS.com on Tuesday, January 9, 2024

A Tornado Watch is in effect for Southside until 9:00 p.m. Tuesday. A watch means that a tornado is possible during that time frame. A warning means one is likely or currently happening.

A Tornado Watch is in effect until 9 p.m. for Southside.

A flood warning is also in effect for most of the region until Wednesday morning.

A flood warning is in effect for the majority of our region until Wednesday morning. (Copyright 2024 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.)

Tuesday Midday Update

According to NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center, the threat for flooding Tuesday afternoon has increased along parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is indicated in the red on the map below.

The flood risk has increased Tuesday for areas north and east of the Roanoke Valley.

Tuesday Morning Update

As of 2:40 a.m., we’re seeing our patchy wintry mix play out in some higher elevations.

Keep reading below for an update on flood potential, along with the potential for high wind gusts and mountain snow into Wednesday.


Monday Afternoon Update

A Flood Watch is in effect all day Tuesday, due to 1-3″ of rain coming in. That rain on a saturated soil could lead to flooding. This also pertains to some areas rivers.

A Flood Watch is in effect all day Tuesday.

Winter Weather Advisories have been issued for some higher elevations that will see a spotty wintry mix early Tuesday morning.

Winter Weather Advisories will be in effect Tuesday morning for some higher elevations.

Aside from that, heavy rain, localized flooding and high wind gusts will be the main focus throughout the rest of the day Tuesday.

This is a general timeline of when to expect the worst weather Tuesday.

Some rivers may flood as well, specifically the Roanoke and Dan Rivers.

[WATCH THE RIVERS: We have links to each river’s forecast right here.]

The Roanoke and Dan Rivers will likely flood following Tuesday's rain.

Monday Morning Update

We will start to see impacts from a strong storm starting early Tuesday morning. This will bring a wintry mix at first, then heavy rainfall during the day. Here is a look at the flooding potential that tomorrow brings. Showers wrap up early Wednesday.

The risk for flooding has been pushed further west this morning

A wintry mix starts us off tomorrow morning and will last through about 8:00 a.m.

All types of precipitation is on the table as of now. Freezing rain could bring about some icy road conditions before the rain takes over.

A look at 4:00AM tomorrow morning

By 9:00 a.m. pockets of heavy rain are widespread across southwest Virginia.

A look at 9:00 AM tomorrow

The Severe Weather Outlook for tomorrow has been upgraded to enhanced for much of the southeast. While a marginal risk tags parts of Southside, we could see a couple of thunderstorms extend further west. With that comes the low chance of seeing severe weather.

An enhanced risk for much of the southeast

Thunderstorms will be possible in the afternoon as areas of heavy rain continue. Future tracker is showing deep pockets of orange and red around 3:00 p.m. indicating heavy downpours.

A look at 3:00PM tomorrow

Since yesterday, rainfall estimates have increased for most computer models. Widespread amounts of 1-2 inches are expected with some areas seeing 3-4 inches of rain. A couple of spots could see even more than these estimates.

Estimates have been increased in recent computer model runs

Sunday Afternoon Update

While we have calm weather through Sunday afternoon and Monday, Tuesday’s rain is heavy enough to cause flooding through our region. Rain starts early on Tuesday with some even falling as snow for a short time in the morning.

Heavy rain stretches across our region

This large low pressure system causes flooding in the deep south on Monday with the heaviest rains along the Atlantic coast on Tuesday. We are in the Level 2 risk, but some highly populated areas are at an even higher chance of flooding to our northeast.

While the heaviest rain is northeast of us, our rain is still heavy enough to cause flooding

The heaviest rain falls through the afternoon which is our best chance for flooding. Be extra careful when the sun goes down since water levels stay high. Showers dry up quickly after midnight, but high winds rush in to keep Wednesday busy.

Some snow is possible very early in the day

Most of us can expect more than an inch of rain with three inches possible from Nelson County towards Carroll County. We get a short break from rain before another, smaller system arrives late on Friday.

Our highest rain totals follow a similar pattern to ice buildup last Saturday

10 News has issued a Weather Authority Alert Day for Tuesday, January 9 and Wednesday, January 10.

Read below for more details.

We get a brief moment to catch our breath before the next storm system moves in, and this one is going to be strong (in some ways).

Late Monday night into early Tuesday morning, we expect a brief wintry mix that should mostly be confined to our higher elevations along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Nonetheless, it’s worth watching for parts of Grayson, Carroll, Floyd and Patrick Counties (and Bent Mountain).

A brief wintry mix will be possible in parts of the area early Tuesday morning.

Beyond that, heavy rain will be likely. Most forecast data suggests rain totals of 1 to 3″ (isolated higher), which could lead to localized flooding.

Heavy rain could lead to localized flooding Tuesday afternoon and evening.

While the threat for severe thunderstorm and/or tornadoes mostly stays south of here, it’s the wind we’ll need to watch heading into Wednesday.

Gusts of 30 to 50 mph, in addition to a soggy ground, could lead to downed limbs and power outages.

Wind gusts could bring down limbs and/or power lines Wednesday.

Download our weather app here for more information on the forecast moving forward.


About the Authors

Meteorologist Chris Michaels is an American Meteorological Society (AMS) Certified Broadcaster, forecasting weather conditions in southwest Virginia on WSLS 10 News from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. weekdays on Virginia Today.

Parker was born and raised in central Florida. He first became interested in the weather at a young age when Hurricane Charlie passed directly over his house on August 13th, 2004. Since that day, he knew he wanted to be a Meteorologist.

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