Mild air streaming out of the Gulf states today is driving temperatures into the more seasonable range for this time of year in Baltimore. At last. We may even rise above normal this afternoon for the first time in a long time. It's already 45 degrees here at The Sun building, about the normal high for a Feb. 20 at BWI. That's the first time we've seen 45 degrees here since Jan. 28 - three weeks.

For now, we remain within the white zone on the snow-cover map. Here's the 31-day loop.

There's more mild weather in the forecast, and rain, too. We could see a little rain this evening or tonight, with more likely late Saturday and Sunday.  All of that will go far toward ridding us of this thick, stubborn, dangerous coating of ice left behind by last week's storm. Frederick schools had another delayed opening this morning because of the thick ice that remains on area sidewalks out there.  This map of last week's snow and ice accumulations gives you an idea as to why Frederick is still struggling.

Hydrologists aren't worried about flooding as the rising temperatures and rain go to work on the remaining snow and ice. Not enough of it to flood, and streams are running low enough that there's plenty of room within their banks.

That's not to say it wouldn't be smart to clear a path to your nearest storm drains if there are heaps of ice blocking drainage. A little chopping now may prevent a lot of mopping later on.

In the meantime, forecasters are beginning to pay attention to a major storm on tap for the eastern two-thirds of the nation this weekend. Our piece looks like heavy rain only. But we'll be reading and watching news of heavy snows on the Plains and well to our north, and tornadoes to our south and southwest. Overall, the weather patterns are beginning to look more spring-like.

And why not? Daylight Saving Time begins in three weeks, a full 10 days before the official end of winter.

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