ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – One more summer-like day is in the forecast for Southwest and Central Virginia before a cold front brings noticeably cooler air.

Overall, Thursday will be mostly dry and breezy. Gusts up to 25 mph may occur during the day. Record warmth is possible east of the Blue Ridge Mountains as afternoon temperatures are anticipated to reach the upper 70s and lower 80s.

To the west, afternoon highs will be in the upper 60s and lower 70s under increasing clouds. A few showers are possible west of the Blue Ridge on Thursday afternoon and into the evening hours as a cold front passes through the region.

Due to dry and breezy conditions in the forecast, outdoor burning is discouraged. Fires could easily ignite and rapidly spread in these weather conditions. Multiple brush fires and wildfires have occurred in Southwest and Central Virginia in the past several days. A few localities have put burn bans in effect until sufficient rainfall is seen in the area.

Scattered showers are in the forecast for Friday. The wet weather will slightly lower the regional fire risk, but it won’t be a drought buster; rainfall totals will generally range from 0.10 – 0.25″. Grab the sweaters and coats! Temperatures will mainly be in the much cooler 50s and 40s during the day. Most of the rain should end by the late afternoon hours.

The weekend is looking dry with a mix of sun and clouds overhead. It will definitely feel fall-like on Saturday and Sunday. Temperatures will be seasonably cool with morning lows in the 30s and afternoon highs in the 50s and lower 60s.

High pressure will influence the weather pattern for the beginning of next week. More sunshine is slated for Monday and Tuesday with quiet conditions in place. Patchy frost may develop for the morning hours as low temperatures will be in the cold 20s and 30s. For the afternoon, temperatures will warm up into the near-average 50s and lower 60s.