Another solid month of job gains over 200K expected for Feb.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers are expected to follow the best three-month burst of hiring in 17 years with another solid round of job gains in February.

Still, the result is unlikely to match the furious pace of November through January, when 1 million positions were added. Economic growth probably isn't fast enough to sustain such a large gain. And harsh winter weather might have discouraged some hiring.

Economists have forecast a job gain of 240,000 and a drop in unemployment to a near-normal 5.6 percent from 5.7 percent, according to the data firm FactSet. That would be evidence of a job market that continues to outshine others around the world.

The February jobs report will be released at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time.