Warm, sunny weather like yesterday falls to the back burner this weekend as a powerful storm system moves across the area. The system will thicken the cloud cover later this morning and into the afternoon. I am expecting a few showers and isolated thunderstorms around evening drive time; some storms may produce locally heavy rain and gusty winds. The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, has areas west of Charlottesville and US 29 under a slight risk for severe thunderstorms, but I think the best ingredients for severe weather will be west of the Blue Ridges and I-81 corridor.

Showers and isolated thunderstorms will continue overnight as the low pressure system pushes through the region. Stronger thunderstorms may be possible across the region on Saturday morning. By Saturday afternoon, the storm will be off to our east, and skies will clear out as temperatures fall. Winds in the wake of the storm system will gust up to 30 miles per hour. Cold air locks itself in place for Sunday and Monday, keeping daytime temperatures in the 40s and 50s through Monday afternoon. By next Wednesday, daytime highs will return to the 60 degree mark.

We'll keep tuned to the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms all weekend long. You can find updates on our Facebook and Twitter pages as well as on our website and Newsplex family of stations as necessary.

Have a great weekend!

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