News

Warm weather just a tease

By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
Monday, February 25, 2008 11:23 AM EST

NILES - Sunday was a reminder that spring is right around the corner as warmer temperatures mixed with plenty of sunshine allowed local residents to head outdoors for the afternoon.

Many ditched their scarves, mittens and winter coats for lighter coats and sweatshirts and enjoyed going for a walk, working on house projects and even climbing trees.

Kiara Hertsel and Jennifer Treber both said they are excited for the warmer weather to return.

"I wish it was warm everyday," Hertsel, 8, said.

Treber said she's ready for spring because she enjoys being outside.

Unfortunately, Sunday was just another tease, as many days have been this winter, and more snow and colder temperatures are predicted this week. In fact, the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the entire area through Tuesday evening.

Rain today and tonight will change to snow by Tuesday morning, with accumulations of four to eight inches possible.

"It's gloomy now ... and depressing. I'm tired of the snow. I have so much I am ready to do outdoors, but can't because we get one nice day that is followed by snow, rain, ice, cold temperatures. It's just not pretty anymore," Dawn Church of Dowagiac said.

And Church is not the only person who feels this way. Talk around town is that this is a long, cold and snowy winter. But according to Rick Mecklenburg, Chief Meteorologist for WSBT, this winter has actually been slightly warmer, with less snow, than normal.

Mecklenburg said one reason people may think this has been a bad winter is because the area has seen very mild winters the last two years. Last year, there was not much snow and cold air until January.

So for those of you who are ready to see spring, you may have to wait a little longer. Mecklenburg said that there is still plenty of winter remaining.

Ronald Fisher, of Buchanan, agrees and said he thinks we can plan on seeing more of the dreaded snow.

"I am ready for spring, but know it's not coming anytime soon. I would say by the first week in March we may see some warmer temperatures, but that's if we are lucky," Fisher said.

With most ready for warm weather, there are still a few who do not want to see the snow go.

Darien Wirick, 13, and Brandon Asmus, 9, spent the afternoon at Riverfront Park. Both said they do not want winter to end.

"We're not sick of it at all and I am not ready for spring. I like the snow," Wirick said.

"And I like sledding and snowboarding and just playing outside when it's cold," Asmus added.

If you're a fan of snow, you're in luck. But for those awaiting the first signs of spring, you may have to hold off for a few more weeks.

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