The last days of spring in January are upon us as weather forecasts predict a cold front will move in late Wednesday and bring possible snow later this week.

The southwest winds that brought record high temperatures over the weekend will be blowing away as the week continues, according to meteorologist Bill Modzelewski with the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh.

He said a cold front will move in late Wednesday and last through the end of the week. He cautioned possible snow on Wednesday into Thursday morning.

Friday’s temperatures should be in the lower 30s, while Saturday night’s could dip into the 20s.

Modzelewski said to expect temperatures to return back to seasonably cold weather and said, “Long- range models after seven days show cold air hanging around next week.” In the meantime, savor the last few days of warm weather. “This time of the year, anytime it’s not snowing it’s pretty good,” Modzelewski said.

Jill Barger, a Penn State Master Gardener with Butler County, agreed.

“Everything looks dormant, so no worries on that front. I’ve had difficulties with mud. I’ve been doing some repairs to stone pathways that seem to have sunk with all the rain,” Barger reported.

She added that with sudden warm weather turns in the winter, gardeners will often report plants blooming only to be destroyed with the return of cold weather.

“I haven’t seen anything breaking bud early this time,” Barger said.

This is a preview of an article that appears in Wednesday’s Butler Eagle. Subscribe online or in print to read the full article.