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At a Glance In many locations in the East, March temperatures have been colder than those experienced in February.

A brief warm-up is ahead this week, but temperatures may tumble again to begin April.

March temperatures have been colder than in February for much of the East and have many wondering when spring will arrive. There's good and bad news: a warm-up is ahead this week, but it won't stick around long.

Numerous cities in the East experienced a record-warm February, with average temperatures – the mean temperature when the high and low are combined – more than five degrees warmer than average.

(MORE: 6 Things We'll Remember About February's Weather )

More than 200 warm February temperature records were tied or set in the East on Feb. 20 and 21, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information .

Temperatures during this time soared into the 70s and 80s. For the most part, highs in these regions haven't come close to these readings during the first three weeks of March.

(MORE: Chilly Start to March )

In fact, the average temperature in March for most areas east of the Mississippi River has been colder than average. The jet stream pattern that has been in place most of this month has featured a trough, or southward dip, over the East, which has allowed colder temperatures to push southward.

Due to the staggering difference between far-above-average conditions in February and the colder-than-average conditions in March, many cities could see a March that is colder than February.

<img class="styles__noscript__2rw2y" src="https://dsx.weather.com/util/image/w/marchuary-sun-am.jpg?v=at&w=485&h=273&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0" srcset="https://dsx.weather.com/util/image/w/marchuary-sun-am.jpg?v=at&w=485&h=273&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0 400w, https://dsx.weather.com/util/image/w/marchuary-sun-am.jpg?v=ap&w=980&h=551&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0 800w" > The average temperature through March 24 has been colder than the average temperature in February for several cities.

Locations from Boston to Washington D.C. saw average temperatures in February around 6 degrees warmer than average, but have trended colder than average so far in March.

Through March 24, the average temperature for the month in Boston was 36 degrees, or 1.3 degrees below average. Philadelphia's average temperature of 38.2 degrees, through March 24, was more than 4 degrees below average.

This chilly pattern has also resulted in portions of the Northeast being impacted by four nor'easters so far in March.

(MORE: Four Nor'easters in Three Weeks From Space )

Much of the South has also seen a similar pattern. Atlanta, Birmingham, Alabama, and Asheville, North Carolina, saw mean temperatures in February about 10 degrees above average, and the mean temperature for the month through March 24 has been slightly below average.

Areas as far west as Indianapolis are currently experiencing colder temperatures in March compared to February.

Although this is not common, it also happened a year ago. Average temperatures were slightly colder in March 2017 than in February 2017 in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

New York City, for example, saw an average temperature in February 2017 of 41.6 degrees, while in March 2017, the average temperature was just 39.2 degrees.

Milder Temperatures Are Ahead

With less than a week left in March, this year could turn out differently than 2017 in some locations since warmer temperatures are expected this week.

A temporary shift in the jet stream will result in the persistent trough pushing eastward and being replaced by a modest ridge of high pressure, or northward bulge of the jet stream. This will allow temperatures to finally push above average into late-week in the Midwest and East.

Highs in the 50s will reach into the southern Great Lakes, the New York City Tri-State area and parts of southern New England at times this week. A few 60s may reach the Ohio Valley, southern Great Lakes, and Northeast, at times. Highs in the 70s will spread through the South, with 80s possible near the Gulf Coast.

(MAPS: 10-Day Forecast )

Warmer low temperatures are also anticipated, with temperatures dropping only into the 40s in parts of the interior Northeast midweek. Morning lows in the South will primarily be in the 50s and 60s Thursday and Friday.

Colder Start to April

Mild temperatures are expected into late this week ahead of an approaching cold front.

However, temperatures will tumble behind this cold front; highs and lows will drop back to near average and below average across the Midwest and East.

A series of cold fronts could then follow, potentially keeping temperatures below average in the nation's northern tier for the start of April.

This is reflected in the 6- to 10-day temperature outlook from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center. The outlook issued on March 25 highlights areas from the northern Rockies and northern Plains through the Midwest and into much of the Northeast as having a 50 percent or higher chance to experience below-average temperatures during the first week of April. Portions of the Southwest and Florida have a better chance of seeing above-average conditions to begin the month.

(MORE: Here's Why March Brings the Biggest Variety of Extreme Weather in the U.S. )

Additionally, there are indications that the upper-level pattern that has dominated much of March with high-latitude blocking will return in early April.

This could result in colder-than-average conditions across the northern tier of the U.S. and into much of the East. However, the details of the early-April pattern, including how chilly temperatures will be, remain uncertain.