For early March, the Valley received a ton of Sun this weekend.

Both Saturday and Sunday featured abundant sunshine, a general rarity during the cold season. Sunny skies will persist through most of the day today.

A system dropping snow south of I-70 is sending clouds our way, though the Valley will not have to worry about any precipitation. As it moves away from us, skies will clear around lunchtime. Temperatures will improve to seasonable levels – a bit above 40° – with winds and precipitation not a factor. Unfortunately, clouds are expected to increase overnight, and we may be subjected to some light freezing rain, which could spoil viewing conditions for the lunar eclipse set to occur around 6 AM. Freezing rain will quickly transition to plain rain as temperatures increase overnight.

Rain will continue through Tuesday morning. There could be a brief bit of drier weather around midday, though a bulk of widespread showers is expected to move in late in the day. High temperatures will again increase into the mid-40s, with the rain becoming steadier at times. Overnight, temperatures are expected to drop to around 40 degrees. The bulk of the rain is expected to move further south overnight, potentially allowing for some clearing for those north of I-80.

Thermometers will continue to pick up day by day as we go through the week. Highs on Wednesday will again improve to the mid-50s – about 15° above average. Showers are the expectation, especially south of Youngstown, where dry conditions will be more possible around midday. Even more showers are likely overnight.

While high temperatures will only increase through the week, rain chances will stay stagnant and high. More showers are likely throughout the day on a breezy, balmy Thursday, where high temperatures could get up to 60° in most areas. The shower chance will continue overnight with low temperatures in the low to mid 50s.

Friday’s high temperature close to 70° throughout the area could challenge a daily record set four years ago. Chances for showers are still there during the day, but they won’t be as high as in days past. This may be the driest day in the next seven, except today. We may have a sustained dry stretch overnight into Saturday, with temperatures in the mid-50s.

Heavier rain could impact our area during the first half of the weekend, though a dry trend is looking to start next week. Saturday could be the warmest day of the week with highs near 70, though Sunday may take a step back into the 60s. Regardless, these temperatures and conditions are almost the exact opposite of what we’ve been accustomed to this winter.