HISTORIC MARCH BLOWTORCH ABOUT TO BEGIN IN ERNEST...

for the next 10-15 days, the amount of consistent warmth the models are showing (and have continued to show) for much of the nation is astounding. The fact that we've hit 70 degrees once already and in light of the upcoming pattern that's being depicted, it's a good bet that NYC and points westward stand a chance to hit the 70-degree plateau two or three more times before the month draws to a close:

FROM ACCUWEATHER.COM

Taken this afternoon's GFS model verbatim, this graphic will easily hold true for the week of the 18th, as the warm air looks to get locked into the eastern two thirds of the nation in a big way.

The first shot of 70 degrees is for Tuesday, but we'll make a run in some locations on Monday, with highs climbing into the 60s.

After today's brief chill, it's basically time to start thinking about piling the winter jackets into the closet until further notice.

The warmth continues to rout any fleeting chill, and it will continue to surpass historic records as it did this past winter...