The city came within a couple of degrees of setting a record high yesterday, inspiring at least one Times writer to near-giddy prose. Today's story isn't as inspiring but it should remain mostly sunny. Besides, a high around 45 is five degrees warmer than normal.

The wind will shift to come out of the south tomorrow morning. The resulting warm air advection may induce another bout of spring fever as tomorrow's high may reach 50. Sixty degrees is not unreasonable for Wednesday. With the warm air there will be a small chance of light rain Tuesday and a better chance of heavier showers Wednesday night, perhaps enough to wash away the salt encrusting the streets and sidewalks.

The Wednesday night showers herald a return to cooler weather. Look for rain to linger into Thursday morning with a high around 50. Temperatures should then gradually fall to the 40s on Friday and only into the 30s by Valentine's Day. Alas it is still February.