The morning came in cool — low 50s at sunrise — but we're headed for 76° by afternoon under partly sunny skies. Southwest breeze, light and easy. It's the kind of May Saturday that asks very little of you: no jacket by 10am, no umbrella all day, just sunglasses and a decision about how much of the afternoon you want to spend outside. Tonight drops back to 51° under mostly clear skies, then Sunday climbs to 81° and full sun before showers roll in after midnight.
The Roanoke City Market is open until 1pm today — get there early for the full spread of spring greens, strawberries, and cut flowers. The Taubman Museum is open 10am to 5pm if you want air conditioning and the current exhibitions. Center in the Square opens at noon, planetarium shows at 1 and 3pm. Tonight: A Few Old Goats downstairs taps a new hazy IPA at 5pm, and Texas Tavern never closes if you need a late cheesesteak after whatever else the evening becomes.
The Roanoke River Greenway is in full leaf now — the section from Jefferson Street down to Wasena Park and back is about 4 miles round trip, mostly shaded by mid-afternoon, flat and easy. Mill Mountain is another option if you want the climb: 1.6 miles up to the star, about 45 minutes at a tourist pace, full sun on the ridgeline but worth it for the valley view. Elmwood Park has picnic tables under big oaks if you just want to sit with takeout and a book. Everything's green, everything's blooming, the season's peak is right now.
Tomorrow's 81° and sunny until late — plan the outdoor stuff early, because rain arrives after midnight Sunday into Monday morning. Not a washout, just showers, but enough to shift the week's rhythm. For tonight, though, it's all clear skies and cool evenings, the kind of May night that makes you remember why you live in the Blue Ridge.
At the flats: RND Coffee opened at 7am if you're reading this early, still going until 3pm. The courtyard fountain is running, a few bistro tables out front catching morning sun. A Few Old Goats downstairs opens at noon, full slate of house beers and that new IPA launch at 5pm. The patio upstairs at your unit is probably the move for dinner tonight — 76° dropping into the 60s, no bugs yet, just the Saturday evening settling in around you.