Dry stretch continues along with a late-week warm up

Temperatures warm above average
Dry stretch continues into the weekend
Elevated fire danger

Winds remain breezy at times into the evening but should diminish overnight. This allows temperatures to slip to the upper 20s to low 30s by sunrise.

Skies remain mostly clear overnight. Just to our south, a fire burning on Pilot Mountain in North Carolina continues to spread. The smoke has been predominately blowing south, however, this could change Tuesday. A southwest wind will not only bring warmer weather in this week, but may also cause some of the wildfire smoke to drift into the region Tuesday. This could cause a little more haziness and the faint smell of smoke along the VA/NC border counties.

Winds shifting from the southwest may bring wildfire smoke into the region Tuesday.(WDBJ)

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY

A mix of sun and clouds can be expected with a light breeze. Afternoon highs reach the mid-upper 50s. A front may try to bring in clouds late Wednesday afternoon and evening. With limited moisture in the air, no rain is expected for most areas. However, a few spotty showers are possible across the Highlands.

A disturbance may bring the Highlands a stray shower late Wednesday afternoon or evening. Most... — A disturbance may bring the Highlands a stray shower late Wednesday afternoon or evening. Most areas remain dry.(WDBJ)

THURSDAY & FRIDAY

The weather turns even warmer with afternoon highs reaching the 60s for many areas. While this isn’t record-setting heat, it will be much warmer than average. 2 out of the past 10 years have had high temperatures in the mid-60s through at least late December.

DROUGHT WORSENS

The story has remained the same this fall in Southside: rain has been hard to come by. A very dry November has introduced a Moderate Drought to much of the area and doesn’t look likely to resolve itself soon with more dry weather likely this week.