Has Spring Really Sprung Here in Southeast Minnesota?

The weather the past couple of days has been warm-- unusually warm, that is-- for southeast Minnesota in early March. So is the spring-like weather here to stay?

Of course, March has historically been a finicky month when it comes to the weather here in Minnesota. The beginning of the high school basketball tournaments each year usually means a spring snow storm is headed our way that dumps several inches of the white stuff on us. Then again, some years, March turns warm and lets us 'sneak' into April without having to shovel.

Heck, in just the last five years, we've experienced both extremes here in Rochester. Four years ago, back in March 2012, it was warm. In fact, temperatures hovered near the 70 degree mark on St. Patrick's Day-- I remember sitting outside while having a couple of green beers and enjoying the warm weather-- and didn't look back. That same year, I remember moving into our current house on April 14th, and highs were in the low 70's.

Then again, just three years ago, back in May of 2013, Mother Nature wasn't quite ready for spring and ended up dumping nearly 15 inches of snow on us-- even though we'd no doubt all like to forget that.

According to this U.S. Climate Data chart, though, the average high for March here in Rochester is only 40 degrees, with average low at 24. And with our highs forecast in the upper 60's Tuesday, we're well above that mark. It looks like we'll be a little cooler the rest of the week, but still above our average for March-- which is fine, if you as me.

But here's the $10,000 question: will the warm weather stay-- or will we dive back into winter for a few days... what do you think?