"It feels like spring has arrived" : Observations for Tuesday, March 15th and Wednesday, March 16th

"It feels like spring has arrived."  That was the main headline on the Weather Channel Website today, and boy does it feel true in Eau Claire.  The last two days have been downright balmy, and it truly feels like spring has arrived in Eau Claire, WI.  On Tuesday at the time of my observations (4 pm), the temperature was steady at about 44 degrees, with winds blowing from the southwest at 10 MPH.  Skies were clear at that time, with no visible cloud cover except for a few wispy cirrus clouds appearing here and there.  We did experience a bit of precipitation towards the evening, but nothing too significant.  Today at around 4 pm, the temperature was even warmer, at about 48 degrees and a light wind blowing from the southeast at about 8 MPH.  Skies at that time were clear as well, with some cirrus clouds filling the sky here and there.  The picture below illustrates how the jet stream is currently dipping down into the Rockies, giving them cooler temperatures in the region.  It's also apparent to see that the high pressure system looming over Florida is pumping warm air up throughout the midwest, which is partially why we're having and will continue to have warm temperatures throughout the next week.