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March Madness: Warm Temps Keep Busting Record Books

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The records keep racking up in one of the warmest March's we've ever had. One of the most remarkable ones happened last Saturday, when the Twin Cities hit 80 degrees on St. Patrick's Day. It's the earliest day we've ever hit that mark.

In fact, Monday is the eighth day we've set a record high in March.

All around the Twin Cities, there are the unusual signs of spring. At Ceder Lake, Lake of the Isles and Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis, the ice is gone. There are also buds blooming on bushes throughout the Twin Cities on this last day of winter.

"This is early, yeah. Most definitely," said Joni Strozyk with Venture North Bike Walk and Coffee.

She's on a roll, setting some of her own records. Usually the rush to tune and fix bikes starts in April, not in March.

"We're just working away, repairing bikes, making adjustments and whatever needs to happen," she said.

Strozyk's got a week's worth of work, and with more warm weather in the forecast, she could get busier.

As for records, the past record 80-degree day was in March 1910. That's when America was shifting from horse-and-buggy to the Tin Lizzie.

The Twin Cities have been warmer this March than all of March and April last year.

Some folks might complain it's hot, but Strozyk's just enjoying it.

"The weather is awesome. It's unbelievable for mid-march," she said, while adding how much she's enjoying the work the warmth is bringing her way.

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