Last week the high temperature in Dayton never reached above freezing. This week Southwest Ohio will experience highs in the 60s followed by a drastic drop back into the 20s.

It’s a tumultuous pattern of freezing and thawing that can lead to bursting pipes, potholes, and more runny noses.

According to Vandalia physician Joseph Allen, quick changes in barometric pressure and temperature can make sinus and arthritis symptoms feel worse.

The change in weather will be most noticeable on Wednesday after an unseasonably warm day today.

“It’s certainly out of character (for this time of year),” said Storm Center 7 Meteorologist Rich Wirdzek of today’s predicted high of 62 degrees. The official record high for Jan. 29 is 66 degrees, set in 1914.

“(Tuesday) is the day to enjoy,” Chief Meteorologist Jamie Simpson said. “Because Wednesday is windy, wet, then cold and snowy.”

“We’ll have a morning commute in the 50s, and an evening commute in the 30s,” he said.

Steadier, and perhaps at times heavy rain will arrive Wednesday morning, possibly having a significant impact on the morning commute. A few rumbles of thunder are also possible. Winds may gust up to 30-40 mph Wednesday morning as a cold front moves in.

“Not only do we drop below freezing later Wednesday evening, but we’ll get some snow showers as well,” Simpson said.

A few more snow showers are possible Thursday followed by quiet weather Friday with some sun.

“We’ll stay below freezing until some time next week after we drop below 32 Wednesday night,” Simpson said.

A deep freeze, followed by a big warmup can wreak havoc on pipes.

“It’s not the frozen pipes that really get plumbers’ phones ringing. It’s the thawing pipes that leak and spew water after a hard freeze,” said Paul Abrams, spokesman for Roto-Rooter last week.