Wilmington, OH – A sharp temperature drop is on the way for southwest and central Ohio as much cooler air settles in beginning Wednesday. After a mild Tuesday with highs in the upper 60s to near 70, readings will tumble by more than 10 degrees midweek, setting up the season’s first potential frost by Thursday night.
According to the National Weather Service office in Wilmington, the approaching cold front will move through late Tuesday night, ushering in a dry but significantly cooler air mass. Highs on Wednesday will only reach the mid-50s across much of the region, with brisk northwest winds gusting between 20 and 25 mph. Lows will fall into the upper 30s to near 40 by dawn Thursday, and skies will clear enough to allow for patchy frost by early Friday morning, especially in rural areas.
Counties from Dayton and Springfield northward toward Bellefontaine and Wilmington are most likely to experience early frost conditions. According to forecasters, agricultural and garden plants should be protected, as temperatures may briefly dip to near freezing in low-lying valleys.
The chill will linger through the end of the week with continued highs in the 50s, marking a clear transition to late-fall conditions. Sunshine and calmer winds will dominate Thursday and Friday, providing a crisp but pleasant stretch for outdoor activities and harvest work.
Residents are advised to monitor updated NWS forecasts for any frost advisories that may be issued as temperatures continue to cool toward the weekend.
