Local temperatures surpassed 70 degrees Sunday for the first time this year since Feb. 6, but, befitting the up-and-down pattern this year to date, the rest of the week is expected to be markedly colder.

According to the seven-day forecast from the National Weather Service, rain and thunderstorms are expected to move into the area this afternoon after 2 p.m. and could last throughout the evening, with up to a half inch of rain possible.
The high today is expected to be 66 degrees with winds between 15 to 20 mph and gusts as high as 35 mph.

More early morning showers before 7 a.m. are possible Tuesday, with the rest of the day sunny with a high near 62 degrees and a low of 37.

Wednesday is expected to be the coldest day of the week with a high near 59 and sunny conditions. The low is expected to be 31 degrees.

The temperature is expected to then work its way back up the rest of the week, 60-degree high Thursday and a 68-degree high Friday, with 70-plus degree temperatures expected for Saturday and Sunday.

Also, forecasters were warning of high winds in the north Georgia mountains Monday, so anyone on vacation in the area should be careful as gusts of up to 35 mph were expected. Several counties are affected, including the cities of Blairsville, Dahlonega and Chatsworth.