COEUR d’ALENE — Perhaps Punxsutawney Phil, who just predicted another six weeks of winter, needs to take a second look.

He might change his mind if he saw all the kids climbing and running at the McEuen Park playground under the supervision of parents on a 46-degree, breezy Monday afternoon.

“It’s beautiful,” said McKenzie Nelson as she watched son Preston sit on the top of a slide and debate whether he was ready to let go.

She said they almost went out from their Post Falls home Sunday, when the sun was shining, but didn’t take it. When springlike conditions emerged Monday, off they went.

“It’s really nice out,” Nelson said.

At a time of the year when it’s more typically about 30 degrees and folks are bundled up with coats, hats and gloves, many were out shooting baskets at the City Park courts, riding bikes and walking dogs. There were even runners wearing shorts in the 45-degree conditions.

“It’s never too early to start,” Nelson said, laughing.

Nor is it too late to get outside.

This week’s forecast is for partly sunny conditions through Sunday. The highs are expected to be in the mid-40s and there isn’t a snow day in sight as a high-pressure ridge is expected to keep the region dry the rest of the week.

"It's almost like a summer pattern," said Climatologist Cliff Harris.

He's predicting it could hit 50 degrees Sunday and Monday.

"It's warmer than normal, that's for sure," Harris said.

In the last five weeks, about 2 inches of snow has fallen in Coeur d’Alene, and most of that, 1.6 inches, was last Thursday. For the season, 52 inches of snow has fallen.

Harris told The Press this weather is unusual, and even he isn't so sure his preseason prediction of 83 inches of snow will come to pass.

That's one bet most folks wouldn't mind losing.