Dec. weather in Hidden Valley, Saurotown

Going to be in Roanoke, VA, 12/13-18 and hoping to make at least one day trip, maybe an overnight to Hidden Valley. Have never been. Will the weather forecast for Abingdon (elev. 2000ft) apply to the crag, or will elevation make it significantly colder/windier up there? Would Saurotown be considerably warmer than Hidden Valley? Thanks!

I can't speak to Hidden Valley, but I'm sure someone else can.  As long as there are clear skies, Sauratown is the place to be on a cold day!  I have been out there with a forecast high of 33 climbing in T-shirts!  There's more than enough classic lines to keep you busy for a day or two!  

Also, here is a link to the CCC's Sauratown guide!

https://carolinaclimbers.org/sites/default/files/sauratown_2016.pdf

If the sun is out you can climb at Hidden Valley with the temps in the 30's.. The cliff faces south and creates a lot of solar heat. 

Hidden Valley tends to be a bit colder than Abingdon, but the forecast there will be a decent guide. If you chase the sun on cold days it can be good. I have also seen it snow at the crag and not in town. Sauratown is definitely the warmer of the two. Pilot is also a good cold weather crag. 

Good advice here for you. One thing I would add though is that if there is any frozen precip on the ground the last section of the road to Hidden Valley can be an adventure since it's very steep and narrow.

Thanks, all. I have climbed at Sauratown, but never at HV. My distant impression is that HV is much higher quality. So we are feeling willing to risk conditions at HV out of preference. Is our feeling misplaced?

Higher quality? Not sure about that. There are a lot more routes, but the trad lines at Sauratown are pretty damned nice, heck even some of the sport ones are too. HV does have more to choose from. Emil has a good point about the road, the last bit would be interesting in anything icy. 

I've camped and climbed both sides of HV in the low 20s and teens and had a great time. Do it!

Sauratown is high quality. Hidden Valley is high quality. You should definitely go to Sauratown at least once since it will be guaranteed an easy approach and nice temps if the sun is out. Hidden Valley is doable but that steep road and that elevation can maker it slightly more unpredictable.