Rude interruption via a quick afternoon shower on an otherwise beautiful Friday

Friday will be a beautiful day for many across the two Virginia which is welcomed news for those still without power a week after Helene devastated areas from Florida to Ohio. A mix of sun and clouds won't hurt temps from warming up nicely into the mid and upper 70s this afternoon. For most of us, we'll enjoy a dry day.

The exception will be mid-afternoon when a cold front arrives from the northwest. A few extra clouds and an isolated shower towards our southern state line. A brief 5-10 minute shower with even smaller chance of thunder may interrupt outdoor plans but the front moves out of the region quickly.

By the evening hours, clearing skies from north to south brings a cooler and drier night. Temps fall back into the 60s by sunset, low 50s for overnight lows. Some patchy light fog will form in the pre-dawn hours of our Saturday, especially along our larger rivers.

Saturday high pressure and plenty of sunshine burn off the morning fog and the chill. With temps in the upper 40s in the mountains and low 50s for the lowlands, it won't take long for us to warm into the 60s by midday. Our afternoon is looking perfect with the mid to upper 70s. A great day to enjoy the short and rushed fall foliage season creeping up across the region.

Saturday night, after sunset, temps fall back quickly into the 60s with clear skies and lower humidity. A perfect night to enjoy the festivities at the 33rd Annual Beckley Chili Night. For late night plan, a sweater may be in order as temps continue to slide back into the low 50s for most. A few in the mountains will see the upper 40s once again.

Sunday we're looking good for most of the day. Sunshine to greet us out the door but increasing clouds throughout the day will let you know changes are on the way. Highs still manage the mid to upper 70s with a touch of humidity.

As clouds continue to roll in for the late afternoon, a stray shower from north to south is likely. Better change area wide showers for the late evening hour as a cold front cross the region. Chilly winds will pick up 10-15mph as the front crosses. Temps drop fast after the front passes with overnight lows in the low 40s.

Monday a few showers filter out, especially across our eastern mountains in the morning but general clearing is expected for the rest of the day. Highs, if you can call them that, will struggle into the mid and upper 60s. A few spots in the mountains will only just push 60 degrees. Cooler air from Canada will push in on northwest winds 10-15mph through most of the day. Gardeners who've managed to brave the drought will want to take precautions, especially in the higher terrain with overnight lows in the upper 30s and low 40s.

Tuesday will be a cold start but sunshine will try to help us out. Temps rise slowly through the day but only manage to reach the low to mid 60s. A nice day with mostly clear skies but certainly a reminder that we're in October. Overnight lows dip back into the upper 30s with many in the higher elevations seeing patchy frost in the overnight hours.

Wednesday we again shake off a very chilly morning with plenty of sunshine. Not that we'll warm up much with northerly winds still in control. Highs for the day only manage the low 60s with a few in the mountains in the upper 50s all day. Again, patchy frost is expected for the higher mountains with lows in the 30s.

Thursday sounds like a broken record forecast with morning sunshine warming us up from a cold start with afternoon highs topping out in the low to mid 60s. Winds change out of the west which will help us be a bit warmer than the last few days. But it'll be a while before we start bringing back the 70s, our normal average high temp for early October.

In your extended forecast, the tropics are certainly heating up but, so far, none of the last 4 storms in the Atlantic that have formed since Helene have managed to come close to the U.S. coast. Thanks in part to stronger cold fronts and an area of high pressure off the U.S. coastline. A sign that fall is here.

Typically October is a month full of changes from 80 degree days to frosty mornings. We look to be in a very typical pattern in the long term. Temps will swing and a day or two of rain here or there, but so far, nothing overly concerning. Unless you are a gardener, that is, as our growing season is quickly coming to a close.

Partly sunny, mild, PM iso shower. Highs in the upper 70s. Blue skies & sunshine! Highs in the mid to upper 70s. Increasing clouds, PM sct. showers. Breezy. Highs in the upper 70s. AM sprinkles, slow clearing, cooler, breezy. Highs in the upper 60s. Chilly sunshine. Highs in the mid 60s. Cool sunshine. Highs in the low 60s. Still cool, still sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. Slightly warmer, sun & clouds. Highs in the mid to upper 60s. Sun & clouds, warmer. Highs near 70. Sunny & comfy. Highs in the low 70s.