From frost advisories to record warmth? For Lehigh Valley, highs near 80 likely this week

• Frost advisories were issued Tuesday morning as temperatures dropped into the 30s
• The November-like chill will give way to near-record-high temperatures, forecasters say
• The Lehigh Valley could see temperatures near 80 degrees by the end of the week

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Lehigh Valley residents not only will be changing into Halloween costumes later this week, they’ll also be changing seasons.

A November-like chill — one that prompted frost warnings for Tuesday morning — will give way to near-record-high temperatures by week’s end, forecasters say.

“We’re going to have temperatures come up throughout the week,” EPAWA meteorologist Bobby Martrich said in his latest video forecast.

That will start Tuesday afternoon, with the mercury expected to rise into the 60s.

From there, we’ll see a string of days that feel more like mid-September than late October.

Warm winds bring summerlike feel

Return flow around a strong area of high pressure off the coast is the culprit for the warm air that will be pumped into the region, Martrich said.

That area of high pressure is stationed in what Martrich described as “an ideal spot if you like heat and humidity in the summer.”

“This is going to be pumping in warm, southwesterly winds for the foreseeable future,” he said.

“It’s going to start on Wednesday. We’re going to have temperatures on either side of 70 degrees, and then it keeps going from there.”

Temperatures peak Thursday-Saturday

Temperatures are expected to peak in the mid to upper 70s Thursday through Saturday.

“Most of the region then gets into the 70s… with even some spots nearing 80 degrees, which will result in some locations potentially challenging record highs,” the National Weather Service said in its latest forecast discussion.

Here are the records being challenged:

Many Lehigh Valley areas will hold trick or treat on Friday.