ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — Prepare for a chilly and damp start to Thursday across Southwest and Central Virginia.

Light rain is falling across portions of the region Thursday morning with patchy fog developing in some spots. Pockets of rain/snow mix are possible along/west of the Blue Ridge. However, the wintry precipitation will not be widespread. Isolated slick spots may develop, but roads will mainly be rain-slicked due to the wet weather. The rain will shift south during the day.

Overall, it will be a cloudy and chilly Thursday. By the afternoon, temperatures will be in the near-average 40s. Winds will begin to pick up during the night as a cold front from the north moves southward.

An area of high pressure will build in behind the passing cold front. This will allow for drier weather Friday, but cold winds will impact the region. Wind gusts of 20 – 30 mph are expected, but higher elevations may experience gusts up to 40 mph at times. Due to the cold air rushing in, temperatures will either stay steady or fall throughout the day. Afternoon temperatures will generally be in the 30s.

Saturday will start with morning temperatures in the frigid teens and 20s. A good deal of sunshine is in the forecast, but it won’t help to warm up the region. By the afternoon, high temperatures will be in the upper 30s and lower 40s.

Winds will begin to come from the west and southwest Sunday, allowing for a warming trend. It will be a cold morning with temperatures in the 20s. Afternoon temperatures will be in the 50s under mostly to partly cloudy skies.

Temperatures will continue to trend milder into the upcoming week. Starting Monday, morning temperatures will be in the 30s and lower 40s with afternoon highs in the 50s and lower 60s. We could see our next chance for showers late Wednesday.