The morning starts gray and humid — 48°F overnight, clouds holding low, southeast wind barely stirring. By afternoon we're looking at 69°F with rain showers likely, south wind at 5 mph, 60% chance of precipitation. Expect a tenth to a quarter inch through the day. Tonight stays unsettled with a 50% chance of showers before dawn, then possible thunderstorms. Wednesday turns fully wet — 100% chance of showers and thunderstorms, a quarter to half inch of new rain, highs near 71°F. This is an indoor-leaning two days.
The Taubman Museum is open 10 to 5 today, free admission as always — the permanent collection and current exhibitions give you two hours easy, climate-controlled and quiet. History Museum of Western Virginia is open 10 to 4 if you want local railroad and Civil War context. Market Building closes at 5, but the vendor stalls and Local Roots are worth a midday browse if you time it between showers. Mill Mountain Theatre has evening performances most nights this week — check their site for showtimes. Downstairs at the flats, RND Coffee opens at 7 a.m. if you want a cortado and a pastry before the rain picks up.
Outdoor plans need flexibility today. The Roanoke River Greenway is walkable in light rain — it's paved, mostly tree-covered in sections near the flats, about a 10-minute walk to the trailhead at Wiley Drive. Mill Mountain is a pass today unless you want fog and wet pavement. If the showers hold off until late afternoon, you've got a window from 11 to 3 for a quick greenway loop or a walk through Elmwood Park. Tomorrow's a write-off for anything outside — plan accordingly.
Wednesday's all-day storms mean you'll want a full indoor agenda lined up. The libraries (main branch and Gainsboro) are open, the science museum is always an option, and if you're feeling ambitious, drive out to the Explore Park when the weather clears Thursday. Tonight's showers taper after midnight, but don't expect much relief — just a brief lull before the heavier round moves in. Keep an umbrella in the car, another by the door.
At the flats, the courtyard's a no-go today, but the ground-level spaces stay dry. RND's open through mid-afternoon for coffee and lunch counter fare. A Few Old Goats opens at 4 p.m. downstairs — they've got a solid Tuesday tap list and a corner booth if you want to ride out the rain with a pint and a book. The patio furniture's stacked until Thursday at least. We'll leave the lobby door unlocked if you need to duck in early.