COEUR d’ALENE — After a lengthy period of overcast weather, sunshine washed over North Idaho on Saturday.

People took advantage of the clear skies like it was summer. Dozens took to Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive and the downtown lakefront to walk, run and bike, and there were even a few boats cruising on the lake.

“The air's definitely got a bit of a bite to it, but it’s still great to be out,” said Zachary Murphy of Coeur d’Alene. “Really enjoying the blue skies while we have them.”

Murphy’s dog, Bridger, seemed happy to be among the many four-legged friends out accompanying their humans while they enjoyed the day.

Though the day’s high only got up to about 30 degrees, many were out in short-sleeved shirts and even shorts as they soaked up the winter sun.

Some locals are still holding out hope for snow, as the area has seen almost none so far this season.

“I want snow,” said Dawn Kelly of Coeur d’Alene with a laugh.

Kelly just might get her wish. Forecasts are calling for continued sunny skies into the next week, but snow has a chance of making a comeback starting Friday.  

Coeur d'Alene climatologist Cliff Harris said the extremes in weather, with abundant snow in the south which usually gets none, and record-low snow in North Idaho due to what he called the "biggest high-pressure ridge I've ever seen at this time of the year," are unlike anything in previous decades.

"I've never seen anything like what I’m seeing now," he said, adding, "It's unbelievable."

Harris said this has been a most unusual weather pattern. 

"We never see a year like this again in our lifetime," he said. 

Coeur d'Alene has received just 8.4 inches of snow this season, the lowest ever, with the next lowest being 14.8 inches in 1930. Usually, at this point of winter, it would have received about 40.

"It's the pattern of extremes," said Harris, who will mark 73 years in the weather business next month. "I've been telling people that for years. More attention should be paid to the pattern of extremes."