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Spring flowers are starting to pop up all over, helped out by unseasonably warm temperatures.

(The Oregonian)

Portland's record high temperature for February 8 is 62 (set in 1995). Admittedly that's a pretty warm temperature for early February (it is mid-winter after all) but today we'll flirt with tying that record as we did yesterday. And our string of dry, warm weather keeps rolling along with sunny days expected through Wednesday.

Flowers are blooming, buds are forming and the early spring some have wished for seems on its way - at least this week. Later in the week our regularly scheduled rain should move back in and put all these crazy dreams to rest.

But for now, dream away. Put the umbrella in for early retirement, find your sunglasses (where ARE those?) and try not to think about how much money you spent on that fancy new rain jacket. You'll use it again, soon.

With the current sunny weather, we've also got wind. Expect sustained winds at 7-13 mph and gust today as high as 28 mph. The coast will be even more windy, but also warmer with highs of 65.

Areas in the mid Willamette Valley and south (that will not see the gusty winds) will experience some foggy conditions this morning and tomorrow. Expect limited visibility if you're traveling south of Salem early today or tomorrow.