Southwest and Southside Virginia Weather

The orange ball of the sun shines through smoke layers late in the day on Monday, June 5, over the Roanoke Valley. Courtesy of Chris White.

Canada exports smoke and cool mornings to Virginia

by Kevin Myatt June 7, 2023June 7, 2023

Many locations in Southwest and Southside Virginia will be in the 40s on Thursday and Friday mornings as wildfire smoke continues to waft through our air.

A bank-full stream rolls underneath spring greenery at Willis Hollow, near Shawsville in Montgomery County. David Gravell, who shot this photo, reported the highest total of rain received by the National Weather Service office in Blacksburg, with 5.95 inches by Monday afternoon. Gravell said he actually received another 0.25 inch in Tuesday showers. Courtesy of David Gravell.

Weather

Atmospheric spin cycle repeating cool, damp weather

by Kevin Myatt May 31, 2023May 31, 2023

Stuck low-pressure systems are stymying the start of summerlike weather – but read to the end to find instructions for entering a summer heat prediction contest.

A Global Forecast System (GFS) model run from Tuesday shows a coastal low moving into South Carolina as rain begins to spread into southern Virginia on Sunday afternoon. Timing, placement and intensity of this storm system may differ somewhat from these early forecasts, but squally rain may affect many locations in the Mid-Atlantic, Appalachians and Southeast U.S. this Memorial Day weekend, including Southwest and Southside Virginia. Courtesy of NOAA.

Weather

Coastal low may rain on Memorial Day weekend plans

by Kevin Myatt May 24, 2023May 24, 2023

Northwest flow from Canada has helped bring smoke from Alberta wildfires over Virginia and also spread cooler air to stymie the hot trend of early 2023.

Tree downed on a home at Duffield in Scott County, as seen from drone phography. Courtesy of Billy Bowling.

Weather

Two tornadoes confirmed in Southwest Virginia

by Kevin Myatt May 17, 2023May 17, 2023

The twisters were in Lee County and Scott County.

Weather

Focus on Danville: Five factors that drive its weather

by Kevin Myatt May 17, 2023May 17, 2023

Occasional series focusing on weather at specific locations in Cardinal News territory begins today. Also, a look at Tuesday storms in the region and whether it will get hot anytime soon.

A funnel cloud dips down behind grain silos near Hill City, Kansas, in May 2007. May is the historic peak of tornado season in the Plains states, and Kansas has suffered many, including the May 25, 1955, tornado that demolished Udall, Kansas, the subject of a book by Wythe County author Jim Minick. Photo by Kevin Myatt.

Weather

Wythe County author’s new book recalls tornado that obliterated town

by Kevin Myatt May 10, 2023May 9, 2023

Also, researchers uncover details of an 1834 tornado in Southside, and a look at just how cool our mid-spring has been historically.

Yes, this is May, at Snowshoe Mountain resort atop Cheat Mountain in West Virginia, as captured by storm chaser and natural phenomenon photographer Peter Forister (@forecaster25 on Twitter). Heavy snow squalls, caused by Lake Michigan moisture being lifted by strong westerly and northwesterly winds over 4,000-plus-foot ridges in eastern West Virginia, dumped several inches of snow with drifts measuring into feet on the higher terrain of eastern West Virginia nudging the Virginia state line. Courtesy of Peter Forister.

Weather

Caught between a mountain snowstorm and a coastal tornado

by Kevin Myatt May 3, 2023May 3, 2023

While Virginia Beach suffered a destructive twister and eastern West Virginia saw May-defying snowfall, an “omega block” brought cool dampness to Southwest and Southside Virginia.

Interstate 81 traffic continues moving through the ruins left behind by the April 2011 Glade Spring Tornado. Courtesy of VDOT.

Weather

Long list of April tornado anniversaries gets no new additions

by Kevin Myatt April 26, 2023April 27, 2023

Washington County has twice suffered killer tornadoes during “Super Outbreaks.” Other notable April tornadoes have hit Roanoke, Bedford, Pulaski, Lynchburg and Danville.