
Print This Forecast (Printer-Friendly)
FNUS51 KRNK 161408
FWFRNK
Fire Weather Planning Forecast for SW VA...SE WV and NW NC
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
1008 AM EDT Thu Apr 16 2026
.DISCUSSION...
...Fire Danger Statement in effect through 8 PM for the VA
Highlands, VA Piedmont, and all of NW NC...
Very warm temperatures for mid April and drought conditions
over much of the area will continue to keep fuels dry
through the weekend. We may see some light showers
tonight into Friday morning, but amounts will be limited to a few
hundredths.
Humidity levels will drop to 20 to 25 percent east of the mountains
this afternoon, and across portions of the Virginia Highlands.
Southwest winds will be 10 to 15 mph, with gusts 15 to 25 mph.
Winds veer NW Friday through speeds will be lighter than today.
By Saturday, winds turn back around to the SW with higher gusts
ahead of an approaching front. Saturday will still be a day to
watch for fire concerns due to the increased winds and likely
late arrival of the front. The Piedmont would be of most concern.
The front moves through Saturday night into early Sunday morning
with a chance for measurable rainfall, mainly for the mountains.
The speed and orientation of the front will also limit rainfall
with most expected to receive less than a tenth of an inch.
We cool down back to normal behind the front early next
week with a very dry airmass. Then we warm up again toward
midweek.
These aforementioned conditions will make fire containment
increasingly difficult throughout the rest of this week.
&&
VAZ009-162015-
Smyth-
Including the city of Marion
1008 AM EDT Thu Apr 16 2026
Today Tonight Fri
Cloud Cover Mclear Pcldy Pcldy
Precip Type None Tstms None
Chance Precip (%) 0 50 0
Chance of Thunder (%) 0 20 0
Max/Min Temp 78 55 77
Min/Max RH % 36 99 34
Wind 20ft/early(mph) W 7 G23 W 7 G23 W 4
Wind 20ft/late(mph) W 11 G23 W 4 W 6
Precip Amount 0.00 0.12 0.00
Precip Duration 2
Precip Begin 8 PM
Precip End 6 AM
Mixing Hgt(ft-agl) 6120 6310
Transport Wnd (mph) W 24 NW 14
Vent Rate (mph-ft) 146880 88340
Dispersion Fair
Max ADI Early 86 Good 73 Good 49 Gen Good
Max ADI Late 98 Good 10 Poor 100 Good
Max LVORI Early 3 4 6
Max LVORI Late 1 6 1
Remarks...None.
.FORECAST FOR DAYS 3 THROUGH 7...
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s. Southwest
winds 5 to 10 mph.
.SATURDAY...Mostly sunny with a chance of showers. Highs around
80. Minimum RH 40 percent. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy with showers likely and a slight
chance of thunderstorms. Colder. Lows in the lower 40s. West
winds 15 to 20 mph.
.SUNDAY...Breezy. Partly sunny with a chance of showers. Much
cooler. Highs in the mid 50s. Minimum RH 38 percent. Northwest
winds 20 to 25 mph.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...Breezy. Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 30s.
Northwest winds 20 to 25 mph.
.MONDAY...Sunny. Highs in the mid 50s. Minimum RH 28 percent.
Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph.
.MONDAY NIGHT...Clear. Lows in the lower 30s. West winds 10 to
15 mph.
.TUESDAY...Sunny, warmer. Highs in the mid 60s. Minimum RH
30 percent. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
.TUESDAY NIGHT...Partly cloudy. Not as cool. Lows in the mid 40s.
Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
.WEDNESDAY...Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. Minimum RH
38 percent. West winds 5 to 10 mph.
.OUTLOOK 8 TO 14 DAYS...
Temperatures near normal. Precipitation near normal.