FINALLY, SPRING HAS SPRUNG; FORECAST AS WELCOME AS THE SEASON

Spring officially begins today at 7:55 a.m., and the weather will make the fact known.

Michael York, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said cold weather is probably over until autumn.

"It is certainly going to be spring-like for now," York said. "It's going to stay especially nice through Friday."

Expect clear skies for the first day of spring and some warmer air for the rest of the week, he said. The high today will be in the 60s and the low will be around 40.

On Friday temperatures should get into the 70s, he said. By Saturday, temperatures should settle back into the 50s, which is normal for this time of year, York said.

"Spring is going to come in with some of the nicest days we've had in a week or two," York said.

People are certainly glad to see that.

"We are always glad to see winter and the cold weather finished and gone," said Joyce Kuntze, owner of Arrangements by Joyce, a local florist. "We all look forward to change of seasons and warmer weather."

Kuntze said that such flowers as jonquils and hyacinths have popped up recently and tulips and dogwoods will be blooming before long.

People enjoy more than flowers once the weather turns warm.

A lot of people got outside in Wednesday's sunshine and warm temperatures.

"If winter truly is over, I'll be glad," said Sarah Webb of Cape Girardeau. "I still remember when it snowed on Easter."

Webb spent Wednesday afternoon playing ball with her 3-year-old son Jack at Capaha Park.

Marion and Paul Weiss of Cape Girardeau took their 5-year-old granddaughter Loren Mier to the park Wednesday to fly kites.

Are they glad winter is over?

"Are we ever," Paul said.

"Definitely," said Marion.

They'll find little if any argument.