An unofficial observation, using the naked eye and all of my fingers, determined Monday afternoon that about seven out of every 10 vehicles on Bismarck's Main Avenue had a window open.

And the occupants weren't freezing to death.

And there seemed to be more smiles all around, for no particular reason.

Other than that really big reason - that it wasn't freezing out there.

Not even close. It was almost hot, nearly hot.

But hot enough.

It's broken.

The long, long-standing record high of 62 degrees set in Bismarck on March 10, 1900 was surpassed by 2 degrees Monday.

Monday's high of 64, recorded at the National Weather Service's observation station near the airport, made Bismarck the warmest spot in the state, said meteorologist Sam Walker.

Dickinson, in the state's so-called "banana belt," reached 61 degrees, not close enough to break its record of 68 degrees for the day.

A low-pressure system with southwest winds, coming across bare ground with no snow to chill it, was the reason for the warm-up, Walker said.

To contrast, Monday's high was only 41 degrees in Devils Lake because the wind, before reaching Devils Lake, had traveled over about 100 miles of snow, he said. Jamestown and Minot were in the mid-50s Monday. Williston saw upper 50s.

The typical temperature for March 10 in Bismarck is about 37 degrees, he said.

Walker said the weather service expected this warmth, but just not this warm. Sunday's forecast had Bismarck's high at 50 degrees. He said that happened because it was a general forecast for a group of counties.

Another day of bliss is expected for today, with a high of about 60 degrees.

Then things change a bit. A low-pressure system moving through southern Canada is the reason for a possible chance of rain this evening and freezing rain after midnight.

Highs for the rest of the week: Wednesday, mid 40s to lower 50s, and mostly cloudy; Thursday, highs about 40; and Friday, highs in the mid 30s.

Walker rode his bike to work, coatless, Monday.

Other people interviewed said the warm weather made their life nicer in various ways. But "no coat" living was a big one.

Katie Pitcher, 8, of Bismarck, was coatless for recess at Highland Acres Elementary. "I love it," she said.

Austin Binstock, 21, of Bismarck, walked out of the north Bismarck store where he works to find out he didn't need a coat for lunch. "Nice, really nice," he said.

Colleen Reinke, 47, of Bismarck, also appreciated not having to wear a coat while she carried a 30-pound pack in preparation for an upcoming wildfire pack test for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

"Ahhhhh…..It feels like May," she said.

(Reach reporter Virginia Grantier at 250-8254 or at virginia.grantier@bismarcktribune.com.)