FAIRMONT – Martin County was in negative temperatures a few short weeks ago, but is now enjoying the comfort of 50-degree temperatures.

There is even potential to break some daily records. Friday and Sunday, Feb. 13 and 15, have projected highs of 54 and 60, respectively, which would break the records of 53 set in 1954 for Feb. 13 and 57 set in 1921 for Feb 15. Saturday is projected to be just as high at 58 degrees, but Feb. 14 has the distinction of being the hottest day in Fairmont’s history for February, at 64 degrees in 1954.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Paige Veserat said while the weather interactions creating this system are standard, the strength of the warm air in the system makes this warmth abnormal for this time of year.

“What happened is it’s the upper-level patterns across the continent of the United States,” she said. “We have high pressure out east, and then we have a building ridge moving in that will usher in some warmer air from the south. Without the snow pack on the ground, there’s really nothing to encourage the cold to stay.”

In areas with more snow on the ground, such as Mille Lacs, Veserat said temperatures are still in the 30s. Thankfully, Martin County will get to enjoy this system for a little while longer.

“Looking at forecasts over the next five days or so, low 50s today (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday),” she said. “We’ll be rolling up even warmer on Saturday. An added bonus for those who are looking forward to spring is that it’ll be partly to mostly sunny for the duration of all of this.”

These ideal conditions won’t be here forever, however. Veserat said from next Wednesday into Thursday, precipitation is forecast. While it could be a wintry mix, she said right now it is more likely to be rain instead. The rest of February looks to stay in the 20s to 30s for highs, if not higher. Even so, Veserat said it’s too soon to call winter officially over.

“I’m sure we’ll see more cold snaps and snow,” she said. “It’s just a matter of when.”