CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – University of Virginia leaders are urging attendees to Walking the Lawn to be prepared for “toasty” conditions Saturday and Sunday, according to a University “what you need to know for finals weekend” release.

Accuweather told Newsradio WINA Saturday will have partly cloudy skies with the high reaching 85, with temperatures climbing into the low 70s as the procession from the Rotunda begins during the 197th Finals Weekend.

With little to no relief from the sun, it will feel even hotter.

Sunday is of particular concern with Accuweather predicting a high of 92, which is near the record for the date. As the procession starts, temperatures will be in the mid 70s climbing into the low-to-mid 80s as the ceremony goes along.

The University is urging attendees to wear light-colored, light-weight clothing. Water will be available on-site.

All activities have “clear bag” policies which means one clear plastic bag no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″ or a one-gallon, clear, re-sealable plastic storage bag (per person).

Small clutch wallets no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″, that don’t have to be transparent, are allowed.

The Lawn activities are ticketed events and attendees are strongly encouraged to download their tickets into their phones prior to arrival on Grounds.

Cellphone reception is notoriously sketchy on Grounds, and the University encourages downloading tickets prior to arrival to all events.

Attendees are also encouraged to download the activities schedule, as well.

When attendees get to UVA, the University strongly discourages trying to load or unload people from vehicles on University Avenue near the Rotunda because grads gather in that area which gets very congested before and after Lawn ceremonies.

The University encourages attendees to park at John Paul Jones Arena and ride air-conditioned shuttles to and from the Lawn area.

There is also parking at the Emmet and Ivy garage as well as Scott Stadium, but that requires walking to the Lawn.

Those not attending Final Exercises weekend are advised traffic will be congested on the Emmet Street, University Avenue, Ivy Road, and Fontaine Avenue corridors.

Many locals try to completely avoid those corridors during the weekend, but city and county officials encourage allowing extra time when driving these corridors to any destination.

The events begin Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. with the Joint Commissioning at Old Cabell Hall for Army, Navy, Marine, and Air Force candidates.

At 3 p.m. is the Valedictory Exercises at John Paul Jones Arena with former University of Virginia President Jim Ryan the keynote speaker.

This will be Ryan’s first public speech since resigning under pressure last summer.

Thought the University provides the JPJ venue, Valedictory Exercises are completely arranged by the 4th-year graduating class.

Gates open Saturday and Sunday at 7 a.m. to the Lawn for the ceremonies, and the processions from the Rotunda toward Old Cabell Hall begin at 9 a.m.

Kenyon Bonner, UVA Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer, will be the keynote speaker Saturday for graduates of the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, and School of Education and Human Development.

Sunday’s ceremony is for graduates of the Darden School of Graduate Business Administration, McIntire School of Commerce, School of Architecture, School of Continuing & Professional Studies, School of Data Science, School of Engineering & Applied Science, School of Law, School of Medicine, and School of Nursing, and the keynote speaker will be McIntire School of Commerce Associate Professor Sherri Moore.

After the Lawn ceremonies, the individuals schools break out into diploma ceremonies at various times and various venues.