EXPECT A BIG SWING IN AREA TEMPERATURES THIS WEEK

After today’s predicted high near 80, lows on Saturday may hit 30s.

Today will be the final day of summerlike temperatures before a big swing cools the region.

High temperatures are expected to peak around 80 degrees today with a small chance for showers earlier in the day and a better chance for showers or storms in the evening, according to Storm Center 7 Meteorologist Kirstie Zontini.

Some of that moisture will be moving up from the south as a result of Hurricane Michael and making its way into southwest Ohio. A cold front moving in from the west will add moisture to that mix.

Zontini said temperatures will drop as a cold front arrives this evening and into Thursday. On Thursday, the area will start in the 60s and then get colder.

That will be followed by highs in the mid-50s on Friday and lows Saturday in the 30s, the first time the area has been in the 30s since April 30, Zontini said.

A week that started with highs well above normal will end with temperatures below normal, a swing of nearly 30 degrees.

“That’s going to be a sharp contrast for people,” Zontini said.

High temperatures reached at least 80 degrees on seven of the first nine days of October. The average temperature on those days is in a range between 64 and 78 degrees, and Tuesday’s warmth was about 20 degrees above average for this time of year.

By contrast, high temperatures exceeded 80 degrees on 14 days in September.