Snow is melting fast in the warm weather as the lakes area comes close to hitting an illusive 60-degree mark.
While the temperature hasn't gone past the upper 50s, stopping shy at 56 degrees Sunday, it has produced 50s with regular abandon in recent days. The National Weather Service in Duluth reported 2 inches of snow depth melted away Sunday.
Monday the high temperature reached 57 degrees, well shy of a 70 degree record set in 1987. But consider the other side of the coin. The normal high for this time of year is 34 degrees. As of nearly 6 p.m. Monday, the temperature was still in the low 50s beneath fair skies.
The Brainerd lakes area reached the 60-degree marker in April in eight of the last 15 years.
Last year, Brainerd reached the 60-degree mark on March 13. In 2014, the lakes area was basking in 60 degrees for the first time on April 10. For 2013, the first 60-degree day arrived April 27, the latest date for that warmth in a look back to 2000.
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The National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook for the lakes region with a chance for thunderstorms, possibly capable of producing small hail and gusty winds overnight Monday. The chance for thunderstorms and areas of fog continue today with showers and
breezy conditions expected with a high of 57 degrees.
The next few days are expected to be cooler with highs in the upper 40s or lower 50s. But the snow, if it remains after possible showers, will continue to melt with overnight lows mostly above freezing.
