Altoona resident Michael Troiano sat at a Canoe Creek State Park picnic table with his mom, Marie, and Buttons, a Maltese mix, as a cool wind rippled the waters of Canoe Lake beneath a clear blue sky Wednesday afternoon.
He remembers seeing ice fishermen on the lake in February, he said.
"This is really unusual, and I love it. And I'll take it," Marie said. "I hope it continues."
It just might for the next few days.
Fair weather and high temperatures in the lower 40s are predicted to last through the weekend in the Altoona area, said Tony Mach, meteorologist technition at the National Weather Service's State College office.
The next possible rainfall is a 30 percent chance forecast for Monday, he said.
The high for Tuesday was 56 degrees, while the high for Wednesday was 59 degrees, Mach said, according to an Automated Surface Observing System machine at the Altoona-Blair County Airport in Martinsburg. A cooperative weather observer recorded a high of 61 degrees between 7 a.m. Tuesday and 7 a.m. Wednesday, he said.
The high temperature for Feb. 1, 2011, was 32 degrees with about half an inch of precipitation, according to the Pennsylvania state climatologist.
Cloudy skies in the morning and partly sunny skies in the afternoon with high temperatures in the lower 40s are predicted for today - Groundhog Day.
Others in Blair County were also taking advantage of the weather the day before Punxsutawney Phil makes his prediction for what was in store for the remainder of winter.
Sarah Harshman of Tipton, who said she loved the higher temperatures and wanted it to stay, saw Wednesday's weather as an opportunity to wash her car at Lakemont Water Works car wash.
Some golfers also took to the greens under the blue skies.
Sylvan Hills Golf Club pro shop was not open to the general public Wednesday, but about eight to 10 members teed off, General Manager R.J. Albarano said.
When the temperature is above 45 degrees, the club allows for play, he said. If there is a stretch of nice weather, the course will open to the public.
Back at Canoe Creek State Park, Wilbur and Lucy Walk were enjoying the weather with their dog, Annie. The price to pay for this weather now will come in the summer, Wilbur said. When everything will turn dry, Lucy said.
But as for Wednesday, the weather was a welcome reprieve.
As the Troianos sat at the park, others walked their dogs, and kids with their book bags were "sunning themselves," Marie said.
Brooks Brunner was walking his parents dog, Gigi, and said he wanted to get her out while the weather remained warm.
"I'll take it," he said.
Mirror Staff Writer Amanda Gabeletto is at 949-7030.
