After temperatures plunged to bone-chilling lows over the weekend, temperatures climbed well above freezing onTuesday. That was due to a rush of warm air moving up from the South.

Despite temperatures climbing into the 50’s across southern New England, Providence did not break any records, said National Weather Service meteorologist Kimberly Buttrick.

“The record for February 16th in the city of Providence is 60 degrees, and that was set in 1910,” said Buttrick. “Yesterday’s max temperature was 53 degrees. Even though it felt warm, it wasn’t record-breaking warm.”

Buttrick said more seasonable temperatures will return by week’s end.

“Starting [Thursday] and into Friday will be closer to normal levels, in the mid-to-upper 30’s,” said Buttrick.

Reporter John Bender was the general assignment reporter for The Public's Radio for several years. He is now a fill-in host when our regular hosts are out.