March 07--Temperatures will move above freezing today, say meteorologists, beginning a trend of warmer days that signal the end of winter.
"We can still get some snow during the month," warned Bill Nelson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. "But as far as the drastic cold we've seen, chances are it'll be less the further we get into the month."
This past week's cold temperatures were a result of what appears to be the last bolt of arctic air that will hit the area this season, he said. Highs for Saturday, Sunday and Monday are in the 40s, and highs for Tuesday and Wednesday are predicted to reach the mid-50's.
The higher temperatures, the result of more Pacific air moving into the Midwest, aren't unusual for March. Nelson said the warmer temperatures will likely melt the city's snowbanks, and that the National Weather Service will monitor any river runoff for potential flooding.
This year's winter was colder than usual, with the average temperature at 22.9 degrees, about 3.5 degrees lower than Chicago's average winter temperature of 26.4 degrees.
Nelson said the forecast predicts continued windy conditions in the next couple of days, which could be balanced by lots of sun.
"Even though the wind might throw a chill out there, the sun will warm everyone up," he said.
