We've been highlighting it for days, the chance for our first fifty degree day of the year! And the good news is that model data has been consistent in bringing that warmth in late week. As it turns out, fifty degree days in February are not too common. Milwaukee averages just one day in the 50s during the month of February. And it looks like 50s have been pretty scarce just looking back through the last five February's.

As you can see, we haven't had any 50s this year as the most recent mild spell bringing 50s happened just before the Christmas holiday. Additionally, over the last five years, we've only had three days reach the 50s during the month of February.

Looking back at the month so far we've still had a few mild days, and that first week of the month was unseasonably mild! Overall we're running just a degree below average, but with warmer weather ahead, that stat is about to change. Click on the thumbnail image of this story where you can see the high temperatures into early next week. After reaching 50° on Friday, we'll still enjoy an unseasonably mild weekend with highs in the low to mid range 40s. Keep in mind the average high temperature is just 33°.

Sadly, as all good things come to an end, so too will this mild stretch. Temperatures next week look to drop back below average with highs in the middle 20s and lows falling back to the teens. My advice is to take advantage of the mild weekend on the way and try out one of those winter activities that keep being put on the back burner.

I'm meteorologist Rebecca Schuld