Editing Roanoke, Virginia (section)

==Geography==
[[File:Grayson Highlands is a park with beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. (28393123321).jpg|alt=A photo of the Blue Ridge Mountains taken from an overlook|left|thumb|The [[Blue Ridge Mountains]] get their distinctive color from [[isoprene]] produced by the trees.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |first2= |title=Frequently Asked Questions - Blue Ridge Parkway (U.S. National Park Service) |url=https://www.nps.gov/blri/faqs.htm |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=www.nps.gov |language=en |archive-date=August 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803182740/https://www.nps.gov/blri/faqs.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>]]
Roanoke is the largest city in Virginia west of [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]]<ref name=Williamson>{{cite news |last=Williamson III |first=John B. |date=April 22, 2004 |title=Move Roanoke forward, not backward |work=The Roanoke Times |page=9B}}</ref> and is located in the [[Blue Ridge Mountains]], a range which is part of the greater [[Appalachian Mountains]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nps.gov/blri/learn/nature/mountains.htm |title=Mountains - Blue Ridge Parksway |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=January 14, 2021 |website=nps.gov |publisher=National Park Service}}</ref> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|42.9|sqmi|1}}, of which {{convert|42.5|sqmi|1}} is land and {{convert|0.3|sqmi|1}} (0.8%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=April 23, 2011 |date=February 12, 2011 |title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990 |archive-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824085937/https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html |url-status=live}}</ref> It is located in the center of the greater Roanoke Valley and is bisected by the Roanoke River, which flows west-to-east through the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roanoke River Greenway – Greenways |url=https://greenways.org/trails/roanoke-river-greenway/ |access-date=June 21, 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621232252/https://greenways.org/trails/roanoke-river-greenway/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Within the city limits is Mill Mountain, a {{Convert|1700|ft||adj=mid|-tall}} mountain and 500-acre municipal park which stands detached from the surrounding ranges.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mill Mountain Park (including Star Trail) |url=https://dwr.virginia.gov/vbwt/sites/mill-mountain-park-including-star-trail/ |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=dwr.virginia.gov |language=en |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131065728/https://dwr.virginia.gov/vbwt/sites/mill-mountain-park-including-star-trail/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Roanoke's location in the Blue Ridge Mountains makes it proximate to hundreds of species of plants and wildlife.<ref name=HollandR>{{cite news |last=Holland |first=Rebecca |date=August 21, 2014 |title=Naturefest |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1E}}</ref> The area is home to at least 43 species of [[salamander]],<ref name=Chumney1>{{cite news |last=Chumney |first=Richard |date=August 27, 2018 |title=Annual NatureFest celebrates biodiversity at Peaks of Otter |work=The Roanoke Times |page=4C}}</ref> and the [[Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve]] in neighboring Roanoke County protects the world's largest collection of [[Buckleya distichophylla|piratebush]], an exceedingly rare [[parasitic plant]] endemic to the Appalachians.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve |url=https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-area-preserves/poormt |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=www.dcr.virginia.gov |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623154527/https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-area-preserves/poormt |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Roanoke,VA from Mill Mountain Star.jpg|alt=A panorama of Roanoke from the Mill Mountain Star overlook with the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background.|middle|thumb|A panorama of Roanoke from the Mill Mountain Star overlook with the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background.]]

Roanoke is the largest city along both the [[Appalachian Trail]], which runs through Roanoke County just north of the city,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hiking the Appalachian Trail |url=https://www.visitroanokeva.com/things-to-do/outdoor-adventure/appalachian-trail/ |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=www.visitroanokeva.com |language=en-us |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616133801/https://www.visitroanokeva.com/things-to-do/outdoor-adventure/appalachian-trail/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[Blue Ridge Parkway]], which runs just south of the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roanoke Mountain Blue Ridge Parkway VA {{!}} Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks |url=http://www.blueridgeparkwayoverlooks.com/blue-ridge-parkway-highlights-in-nc-va/blue-ridge-parkway-highlights-in-va/roanoke-mountain-blue-ridge-parkway-va/ |access-date=June 14, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722003304/http://www.blueridgeparkwayoverlooks.com/blue-ridge-parkway-highlights-in-nc-va/blue-ridge-parkway-highlights-in-va/roanoke-mountain-blue-ridge-parkway-va/ |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Carvins Cove Natural Reserve|Carvins Cove]], the third-largest municipal park in America at {{convert|12700|acre|km2|adj=off}}, lies in northeast Roanoke County and southwest [[Botetourt County]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 100 Largest City Parks in the US (Update for 2022) {{!}} Infoplease |url=https://www.infoplease.com/us/cities/100-largest-city-parks |access-date=June 8, 2023 |website=www.infoplease.com |language=en |archive-date=June 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603162115/https://www.infoplease.com/us/cities/100-largest-city-parks |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Smith Mountain Lake]] is several miles southeast of the city,<ref>{{Cite web |title=» Smith Mountain Lake |url=https://roanokeoutside.com/water/lakes/smith-mountain-lake/ |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=roanokeoutside.com |archive-date=June 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608223357/https://roanokeoutside.com/water/lakes/smith-mountain-lake/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[George Washington and Jefferson National Forests]] are nearby.<ref>{{Cite web |title=George Washington & Jefferson National Forests - Virginia's Blue Ridge |url=https://www.visitroanokeva.com/things-to-do/outdoor-adventure/george-washington-jefferson-national-forests/ |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=www.visitroanokeva.com |language=en-us |archive-date=May 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529230726/https://www.visitroanokeva.com/things-to-do/outdoor-adventure/george-washington-jefferson-national-forests/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Outdoor pursuits in the region include hiking, [[mountain biking]], cross-country running, canoeing, [[kayaking]], fly fishing, and [[disc golf]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Outdoor Adventures in Virginia's Blue Ridge |url=https://www.visitroanokeva.com/things-to-do/outdoor-adventure/ |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=www.visitroanokeva.com |language=en-us |archive-date=May 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507054301/https://www.visitroanokeva.com/things-to-do/outdoor-adventure/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Neighborhoods===
{{Main|List of neighborhoods in Roanoke, Virginia}}
[[File:Grandin Theatre, Roanoke, Virginia.jpg|alt=A nighttime photo of the exterior of the Grandin Theatre|thumb|The Grandin Theatre located in [[Grandin Road Commercial Historic District|Grandin Village]]]]
Roanoke is divided into 49 separate neighborhoods.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roanoke City Planning |date=June 23, 2023 |title=About Our City |url=https://www.roanokeva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2841/About-Our-City?bidId= |format=PDF |access-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623202026/https://www.roanokeva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2841/About-Our-City?bidId= |url-status=live}}</ref> The city has incorporated into its comprehensive plan the goal of developing these neighborhoods into "villages", each with their own [[Town centre|village center]], and with the [[Downtown Roanoke|Downtown]] neighborhood acting as the village center for the city as a whole.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roanoke City Planning |date=June 23, 2023 |title=Roanoke, Virginia Comprehensive Plan Vision 2001-2020 |url=https://www.roanokeva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9716/Roanoke-Vision-2001-2020-Comprehensive-Plan |format=PDF |access-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623202021/https://www.roanokeva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9716/Roanoke-Vision-2001-2020-Comprehensive-Plan |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Raleigh Court, Roanoke, Virginia|Raleigh Court]] neighborhood has been cited as a model for such development, consisting of a variety of residential settings located around [[Grandin Road Commercial Historic District|Grandin Village]], an active commercial hub anchored by the Grandin Theatre, the city's only surviving historic theater.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Planning Building and Economic Development |first=Roanoke City |date=May 21, 2007 |title=Greater Raleigh Court Neighborhood Plan |url=https://www.roanokeva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1246/Raleigh-Court |format=PDF |access-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623202022/https://www.roanokeva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1246/Raleigh-Court |url-status=live}}</ref> That commercial district is one of the city's nine neighborhoods (or portions thereof) that have been listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historic Registers Archive |url=https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/historic-registers/ |access-date=June 23, 2023 |website=DHR |language=en-US |archive-date=May 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513234129/https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/historic-registers/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Climate===
Though located along the Blue Ridge Mountains at elevations exceeding {{cvt|900|ft|-1}}, Roanoke lies in the [[humid subtropical climate]] zone ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Cfa''), with four distinct, but generally mild, seasons.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 22, 2022 |title=Roanoke, Virginia |url=https://www.worldatlas.com/cities/roanoke-virginia.html |access-date=June 26, 2023 |website=WorldAtlas |language=en-US |archive-date=June 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626153934/https://www.worldatlas.com/cities/roanoke-virginia.html |url-status=live}}</ref> It is located in USDA [[hardiness zone]] 7b, with the suburbs falling in zone 7a.<ref>{{cite web |title=USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map |author=United States Department of Agriculture |publisher=[[United States National Arboretum]] |url=http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/hzm-ne1.html |access-date=February 19, 2015 |author-link=United States Department of Agriculture |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303152208/http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/hzm-ne1.html |archive-date=March 3, 2015}}</ref> Extremes in temperature have ranged from {{convert|105|°F}} (as recently as August 21, 1983) down to {{convert|−12|°F|0}} on December 30, 1917. However, neither {{convert|100|°F|0}} nor {{convert|0|°F|0}} are reached in most years; the most recent occurrence of each is July 20, 2020, and February 20, 2015, respectively.<ref name="NOAA">{{cite web |url=https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=rnk |title=NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |access-date=July 1, 2021 |archive-date=July 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722235732/http://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=rnk |url-status=live}}</ref> More typically, the area records an average of 6.1 days where the temperature stays at or below freezing and 30.5 days with {{convert|90|°F|0}}+ highs annually.<ref name="NOAA" /><ref name="NCEI" /> The monthly mean temperature ranges from {{convert|37.9|°F|1}} in January to {{convert|77.8|°F|1}} in July.<ref name="NOAA" /><ref name="NCEI" />

Based on the 1991−2020 period, the city averages {{convert|14.8|in|cm|0}} of snow per winter.<ref name="NCEI" /> Roanoke experienced a mild snow drought in the 2000s, which ended in December 2009 when {{convert|17|in|cm}} of snow fell on Roanoke in a [[December 2009 North American blizzard|single storm]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Ballisty |first=Tim |url=http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather-news/news/articles/winter-storm-aiming-for-mid-atlantic_2009-12-17 |title=Snow Totals Adding Up from Blizzard 2009 |website=weather.com |date=January 14, 2013 |access-date=June 12, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611210750/http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather-news/news/articles/winter-storm-aiming-for-mid-atlantic_2009-12-17 |archive-date=June 11, 2013}}</ref> Winter snowfall has ranged from trace amounts in 1918–19 and 1919–20 to {{convert|62.7|in|cm|0}} in 1959–60;<ref name="NOAA" /> unofficially, the largest single storm dumped approximately three feet (0.9&nbsp;m) from December 16−18, 1890.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.roanoke.com/weather/columns_and_blogs/columns/weather_journal/snowstorm-one-of-biggest-events-in-roanoke-s-weather-history/article_afc97fd9-7dd2-55c3-8811-6378c3953087.html |title=1890 snowstorm one of biggest events in Roanoke's weather history |newspaper=www.roanoke.com |access-date=January 24, 2017 |archive-date=November 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126054050/https://roanoke.com/weather/columns_and_blogs/columns/weather_journal/snowstorm-one-of-biggest-events-in-roanoke-s-weather-history/article_afc97fd9-7dd2-55c3-8811-6378c3953087.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Historically, flooding has been the primary weather-related hazard faced by Roanoke.<ref name=Myatt1>{{cite news |last=Myatt |first=Kevin |date=September 24, 2014 |title=Last big Roanoke flood was decade ago |work=The Roanoke Times |page=3B}}</ref> Heavy rains, most frequently from the remnants of a [[hurricane]], drain from surrounding areas to the narrow Roanoke Valley.<ref name=Myatt2>{{cite news |last=Myatt |first=Kevin |date=May 23, 2020 |title=It rained a long time, but not all that hard |work=The Roanoke Times |page=3A}}</ref> The most recent significant flood was in the fall of 2018, when the remains of [[Hurricane Michael]] dumped over five inches of rain on the area in the span of only a few hours.<ref name=Myatt3>{{cite news |last=Myatt |first=Kevin |date=October 14, 2020 |title=Wettest year to date likely won't uproot 2018 |work=The Roanoke Times |page=2B}}</ref><ref name=Myatt4>{{cite news |last=Myatt |first=Kevin |date=January 2, 2019 |title=Soggy year sets high-water mark |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1A}}</ref> The [[1985 Election Day floods|most severe flooding]] in the city's history occurred on November 4, 1985, when heavy storms from [[Hurricane Juan (1985)|Hurricane Juan]] stalled over the area.<ref name=Myatt5>{{Cite news |last=Myatt |first=Kevin |date=August 14, 2014 |title=What was the worst hurricane to affect Southwest Virginia? |work=The Roanoke Times |page= |url=https://roanoke.com/weather/what-was-the-worst-hurricane-to-affect-southwest-virginia/article_bd8fff72-233c-11e4-9414-0017a43b2370.html |access-date=January 30, 2024}}</ref> Ten people drowned in the Roanoke Valley and others were saved by rescue personnel.<ref name=Beagle1>{{cite news |last=Beagle |first=Ben |date=November 5, 1995 |title=When the waters killed - The flood of '85 lives on in the memories of those who survived |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1G}}</ref> That incident prompted a major flood reduction effort completed in 2012 by the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers|U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]], which has limited the damage caused by subsequent storms.<ref name=Chittum4>{{cite news |last=Chittum |first=Matt |date=September 13, 2018 |title=Rains to test flood reduction plan |work=The Roanoke Times |page=1A}}</ref>

{{Weather box
| location = [[Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport]], Virginia (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1912–present)
| single line = Y
| Jan record high F = 81
| Feb record high F = 84
| Mar record high F = 90
| Apr record high F = 95
| May record high F = 99
| Jun record high F = 104
| Jul record high F = 105
| Aug record high F = 105
| Sep record high F = 103
| Oct record high F = 99
| Nov record high F = 83
| Dec record high F = 80
| year record high F = 105
| Jan avg record high F = 67.2
| Feb avg record high F = 70.3
| Mar avg record high F = 78.5
| Apr avg record high F = 85.7
| May avg record high F = 89.5
| Jun avg record high F = 93.6
| Jul avg record high F = 95.8
| Aug avg record high F = 94.5
| Sep avg record high F = 91.2
| Oct avg record high F = 84.6
| Nov avg record high F = 76.0
| Dec avg record high F = 68.3
| year avg record high F = 96.9
| Jan high F = 47.1
| Feb high F = 50.8
| Mar high F = 59.0
| Apr high F = 69.7
| May high F = 77.2
| Jun high F = 84.4
| Jul high F = 88.1
| Aug high F = 86.5
| Sep high F = 80.0
| Oct high F = 70.1
| Nov high F = 59.0
| Dec high F = 50.0
| year high F = 68.5
| Jan mean F = 37.9
| Feb mean F = 40.8
| Mar mean F = 48.3
| Apr mean F = 58.0
| May mean F = 66.1
| Jun mean F = 73.8
| Jul mean F = 77.8
| Aug mean F = 76.2
| Sep mean F = 69.6
| Oct mean F = 58.9
| Nov mean F = 48.4
| Dec mean F = 40.9
| year mean F = 58.1
| Jan low F = 28.7
| Feb low F = 30.8
| Mar low F = 37.6
| Apr low F = 46.3
| May low F = 55.0
| Jun low F = 63.2
| Jul low F = 67.4
| Aug low F = 66.0
| Sep low F = 59.1
| Oct low F = 47.8
| Nov low F = 37.7
| Dec low F = 31.8
| year low F = 47.6
| Jan avg record low F = 11.0
| Feb avg record low F = 15.8
| Mar avg record low F = 21.3
| Apr avg record low F = 31.5
| May avg record low F = 40.3
| Jun avg record low F = 51.7
| Jul avg record low F = 57.6
| Aug avg record low F = 55.6
| Sep avg record low F = 45.1
| Oct avg record low F = 32.0
| Nov avg record low F = 23.4
| Dec avg record low F = 16.9
| year avg record low F = 9.0
| Jan record low F = −11
| Feb record low F = −1
| Mar record low F = 9
| Apr record low F = 15
| May record low F = 30
| Jun record low F = 36
| Jul record low F = 47
| Aug record low F = 42
| Sep record low F = 32
| Oct record low F = 22
| Nov record low F = 8
| Dec record low F = −12
| year record low F = -12
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 3.17
| Feb precipitation inch = 2.89
| Mar precipitation inch = 3.51
| Apr precipitation inch = 3.49
| May precipitation inch = 4.31
| Jun precipitation inch = 4.66
| Jul precipitation inch = 4.28
| Aug precipitation inch = 3.37
| Sep precipitation inch = 4.06
| Oct precipitation inch = 2.96
| Nov precipitation inch = 3.04
| Dec precipitation inch = 3.08
| year precipitation inch = 42.82
| Jan snow inch = 4.3
| Feb snow inch = 4.8
| Mar snow inch = 2.3
| Apr snow inch = 0.1
| May snow inch = 0.0
| Jun snow inch = 0.0
| Jul snow inch = 0.0
| Aug snow inch = 0.0
| Sep snow inch = 0.0
| Oct snow inch = 0.0
| Nov snow inch = 0.1
| Dec snow inch = 3.2
| year snow inch = 14.8
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 9.5
| Feb precipitation days = 9.5
| Mar precipitation days = 11.1
| Apr precipitation days = 10.7
| May precipitation days = 12.4
| Jun precipitation days = 12.2
| Jul precipitation days = 11.7
| Aug precipitation days = 9.7
| Sep precipitation days = 9.0
| Oct precipitation days = 7.7
| Nov precipitation days = 7.8
| Dec precipitation days = 9.2
| year precipitation days = 120.5
| unit snow days = 0.1 in
| Jan snow days = 2.0
| Feb snow days = 2.2
| Mar snow days = 1.4
| Apr snow days = 0.1
| May snow days = 0.0
| Jun snow days = 0.0
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.0
| Oct snow days = 0.0
| Nov snow days = 0.1
| Dec snow days = 1.3
| year snow days = 7.1
| source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name = NOAA/><ref name = NCEI>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00013741&format=pdf |title=Station: Roanoke RGNL AP, VA |work=U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=July 1, 2021 |archive-date=November 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122213802/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00013741&format=pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>
}}