ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — It will be a cold start to Wednesday in Southwest and Central Virginia, but milder temperatures are expected by the afternoon.

An area of high pressure will take over the region Wednesday, bringing dry weather along with it. Blustery winds are still in the forecast, but winds won’t be as gusty. Morning temperatures will start in the sub-freezing 20s, but the brisk winds will make it feel like it’s in the teens/single digits along and west of the Blue Ridge. Make sure to bundle up!

Overall, more sunshine is expected across the area with afternoon highs in the slightly milder 40s and 50s. Winds will become calm Wednesday night with mostly clear skies overhead.

Prepare for another frigid morning Thursday. Temperatures will start in the cold 20s before warming up into the milder 60s by the afternoon. It will actually be warmer than average for the middle of March!

The mild conditions will linger into Saint Patrick’s Day as a cold front approaches from the west. However, rain is on the way. Friday will start with morning temperatures in the upper 30s and 40s. By the afternoon, highs will be in the upper 50s and middle 60s. Rain showers will have the chance to pass through the area during the morning. Another batch of rain will move through during the late afternoon and evening hours.

Most of the rain will clear out of Southwest and Central Virginia by Saturday morning. As the cold front moves east of the region, northwest winds will begin to pick up. It will be cooler with afternoon highs in the 40s and lower 50s under increasing sunshine.

Sunday will be chilly, but sunny. Due to mostly clear skies Saturday night, Sunday will start with morning temperatures in the cold 20s. Winds will still be brisk with afternoon temperatures in the 40s.