COEUR d'ALENE - Cold.

That's the best word to describe Lake Coeur d'Alene these cloudy, windy, chilly days.

Few Ironman swimmers have ventured into the water, which stood at a frigid 50 degrees on Thursday. With 24 days and counting to Ironman Coeur d'Alene, the question more than 2,700 registered triathletes are asking is, "Will the lake hit 60 degrees by race day on June 26?"

Is there still a chance for 60 degrees with all that snowpack still sitting in the mountains, waiting to melt and run off into the rivers and eventually, the lake?

"I think we do," said climatologist Cliff Harris.

He noted that last year, Lake Coeur d'Alene warmed up 3.5 degrees in four days to reach 62 degrees by race day.

Harris said after next week's cold front passes through, June should be warmer in the second half of the month, with several 70- and even 80-degree days that will bring the lake's temperatures up to more bearable conditions for a 2.4-mile swim.

Even better, asked for a long range prognosis, Harris said it could be in the low- to-mid 80s with partly cloudy skies on June 26, the date of Ironman Coeur d'Alene.

Race director Mac Cavasar is confident the lake will be a bit more swimmer friendly on race day than it was with Thursday's choppy, cold conditions.

"We're going to swim," he said.

Like Harris, he noted 70-degree days are in the forecast and it warms quickly in late June.

"I'm hoping we'll gain some ground," he said.