While much of this weekend’s weather is expected to be on the mild side, forecasters say a big change is in store as Monday rolls around.

The National Weather Service says that after reaching a high of about 53 degrees Sunday afternoon, temperatures will quickly begin to fall well below the freezing mark. At press time Friday, daytime highs were predicted to be in the low 30s Monday through Wednesday. Precipitation is possible with this system, but chances remained low for the Seminole area in the latest forecast.

Although winter precipitation is unlikely across our area, the biggest problem will be the cold. With nighttime lows in the teens for a few days, water pipes are at risk for freezing and possibly bursting, which could cost thousands of dollars to repair.

Tommy Rose, a plumber based in Seminole, said there are a few things homeowners can do in advance of the polar blast to avoid frozen pipes.

“First and foremost, unhook your outside garden hoses and cover the spigot with a Styrofoam cup,” Rose said. “Inside, be sure to drip both your hot and cold faucets, especially those on your outside walls. Open your cabinet doors and finally, cover all points that lead underneath your house with cardboard.”

In addition to keeping your home safe, make sure to keep yourself protected from the brutally cold winds that are expected to be ushered in with the winter storm. Wind chill indices will likely be in the teens for the first part of the week. And as always, don’t forget about your four-legged friends if you have them. Cats and dogs should be kept inside during cold weather. It’s a common belief that dogs and cats are more resistant than people to cold weather because of their fur, but it’s untrue. Like people, cats and dogs are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia and generally should be kept inside.

Following is the detailed National Weather Service forecast for Seminole County for Saturday through Thursday (as of Friday, Jan. 3).

Saturday: Patchy drizzle before noon, then patchy drizzle with a slight chance of showers after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 51. South southeast wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers between midnight and 1am, then a slight chance of rain after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 45. South southeast wind around 14 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 49. Southwest wind 14 to 22 mph becoming north northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 32.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 16.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 32.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 34.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 19.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 40.