First day of spring will see temps climb after chilly weekend

Renatta Signorini, Tribune-Review, Greensburg, Pa.
·1 min read

Mar. 20—Those flowers and plants that have started sprouting will be able to get to work this week as temperatures will be back around the seasonal average.

It's just in time, too — Monday is the first day of spring. The spring equinox will officially begin at 5:24 p.m.

National Weather Service meteorologist Jason Frazier said the average high temperature this time of year is 51 degrees. Monday's high temperature likely will fall a few degrees short of that, but Tuesday should be in the upper 50s while Wednesday will be more seasonal.

April showers will get a bit of a head start with rain possibly starting Wednesday and becoming more likely Thursday into Friday, Frazier said. The high temperature will potentially get into the 60s, while dipping back to normal on Friday.

Forecasters are expecting as much as 1 1/2 inches of rain, so residents should keep an eye out for any weather-related watches or warnings, he said. But until then, Frazier said spring will bring with it a couple days of sunshine.

After an unseasonably cold weekend, the improved temperatures might give gardeners the itch to get outside to start planting, but experts advised holding off a bit longer as the region can see frosts until mid-May. Preparing for the planting season by assessing perennials and other matters is fair game, though.

Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Renatta by email at rsignorini@triblive.com or via Twitter .