ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — A stretch of dry weather is ahead for Southwest and Central Virginia as high pressure settles into the area.

A few stray rain showers are possible early Monday morning with patchy fog in spots. Otherwise, more sunshine is in the forecast. Morning temperatures will start in the 50s before warming up into the fall-like upper 60s and 70s by the afternoon. Winds will be a bit breezy at times.

High pressure will be the dominant feature for the workweek, so little change is anticipated. The weather pattern will stay consistent through Thursday with cool morning lows in the 50s and comfortably warm afternoon highs in the 70s and lower 80s. Skies will generally be mostly clear.

For Friday, high pressure will wedge some cool, moist air down the Blue Ridge Mountains. Expect afternoon temperatures in the 70s under variably cloudy skies.

A cooler and damp weekend is ahead. An area of low pressure will ride up the East Coast. This system, along with the cool and moist air in place, will allow for passing rain showers on Saturday and Sunday. Highs will be in the 60s and 70s.

As a reminder, the fall equinox will occur at 2:50 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23.

TRACKING THE TROPICS

Nigel became a hurricane early Monday morning. The storm is expected to intensify into a major hurricane by Tuesday. A gradual weakening trend may begin by Wednesday.

Hurricane Nigel is expected to stay out at sea as a fish storm for much of the workweek.