ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — High pressure continues to control the weather pattern in Southwest and Central Virginia. However, an upcoming cold front could bring some rain showers to the region by the end of the week.

Mostly sunny skies and warm southerly flow will result in milder temperatures for Thursday. Morning lows will generally be in the lower 30s and upper 20s while afternoon highs will reach the upper 60s and lower 70s.

Wildfire smoke from the Matts Creek Fire in Bedford County will have an effect on air quality and visibility this Thursday. Portions of I-81 and I-64 into Botetourt, Rockbridge, and Alleghany counties could be impacted. The smoke will become denser during the afternoon and evening hours.

As a reminder, multiple counties have burn bans or burn restrictions in place due to the ongoing drought. Much of Southwest and Central Virginia is under Moderate Drought with Extreme Drought north of I-64. Fires could easily ignite and rapidly spread in dry and breezy conditions.

Friday will start dry with mostly cloudy skies overhead. A passing cold front will bring a few rain showers to the region Friday afternoon through Saturday morning. However, a low-pressure system to the south may steal some of our moisture, limiting rain coverage. This does not look to be a drought buster; rainfall totals will generally be less than 0.25″.

Once the showers exit the region early Saturday morning, the weekend will turn drier and slightly cooler. Skies will gradually clear on Saturday with winds picking up at times. High temperatures will be in the 50s. Expect mostly sunny skies on Sunday with morning lows in the 30s and afternoon highs in the 50s.

Monday will be cooler with afternoon temperatures in the 50s under increasing clouds. A storm system is slated to bring scattered showers through Southwest and Central Virginia on Tuesday. This could be a soaking rain for the areas as models are suggesting rainfall totals of 1 – 2 inches.