First 70 degree day of 2015?

It's possible!  Unseasonably warm air continues to dominate the Plains, Midwest and Great Lakes.  A nice welcome after the cold February we had.

Temperatures throughout the Plains will rise into the 70's and close to 80 degrees Sunday afternoon.  While it won't get that warm here, we could get close to 70 degrees on Monday.  A strong cold front will sit along the U.S/Canadian border Sunday afternoon.  Temperatures through the Dakotas and central Plains will rise close to 80 degrees Sunday, while we'll remain in the low to mid 60's.  An increasing wind from the southwest will take the air mass that will be in the Plains Sunday, and shift it a little further east for Monday.  This means that high temperatures on Monday have a good shot of reaching that 70 degree mark.  Now, before we go breaking out the shorts and tank tops, there are a couple wrinkles that may prevent us from getting that warm.  First, the timing of the front.  Most forecast models keep the front far enough north Monday to allow for the warm up.  However, if the front were to move through during the afternoon rather than evening, temperatures would remain in the 60's.  Second would be cloud cover.  More clouds means less sun.  This would also keep highs slightly cooler.  Either way, Monday will be our last warm day as temperatures fall back near average for St. Patrick's Day.