The Mid-west and Eastern United States is currently experiencing a historic warmth episode that has never been experienced before.  Locally this will be the 9th straight day with temperatures above 70 degrees in March as temperatures top out near 80 degrees for the second day in a row!  Based on the records that are kept from the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh we typically see an 80 degree temperature once every 8 years in March. 
Surprisingly, yesterday's high  of 81 degrees exceeded readings in some of the world's best known warm spots.  The 81-degree temperature here soared past Tuesday highs in Los Angeles (57-degrees), San Diego (65), Las Vegas (56), Phoenix (66), Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (73-degrees).  Our high temperature of 81 degrees tied Miami, Florida!   These locations were only slightly warmer than the Ohio Valley:  Havana, Cuba (84-degrees), Cancun (84) and San Juan, Puerto Rico (82-degrees).Honolulu (83-degrees)
Many people have been asking what does this mean for our upcoming Summer, are we going to boil?  While I can see how its tempting to make that assumption, past history tells us that weather patterns typically change.  You can have a harsh winter, followed by a hot summer...a warm winter, followed by a cool spring and summer, depending on how patterns change. I took a look at the top 10 warmest seasons, Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall, and I didn’t find too many duplicate years.  This just goes to show that weather patterns change.
Now for a ridiculous stat regarding this spring heat wave . . . International Falls, MN managed to attain a minimum temperature of 60 degrees of Monday. What is significant about this is that the record high for the day was 60 degrees. Thus, International Falls has experienced a 24 hour period where its record high was exceeded or tied at all times during the day.  I have never heard of anything like that, its just unbelievable.  The record high was absolutely shattered by 18 degrees!