We lost our requisite hour of sleep. Filbert the Beaver—also known as Stumptown Fil—promised us an early Spring. And yet, we started March 16 degrees cooler than we started February. What gives?

Think of it as the storm before the calm. Though this should probably be considered a severe weather warning for any establishment with a patio and Guinness on tap: Current NWS forecasts predict Portland metro area highs in the 70s all St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Saturday could even reach the mid-70s.

That won’t beat Portland’s earliest 70-degree day on record (an accolade belonging to March 6, 1965, at the airport station). But it’s earlier than usual—typically, we don’t hit 70 until April 2—and, if the weekend-long forecast pans out, it’s a notable stretch. 2005 was the last time we saw four days of 70-plus-degree weather in March. 1941 holds the title with six days over 70, all occurring in one blessedly balmy week.

As Oregon knows all too well, unseasonable weather isn’t all sunshine and end-of-the-rainbows. Last year’s chilly winter followed by a hot, dry May cut strawberry season in half. Could a stretch of warm weather well before we reach a typical year’s final freeze spell trouble for crops?

Local berry producers worry most about extreme temperatures, like a serious cold snap in April, or last May’s record-breaking heat wave, which brought several days over 90 right as strawberry plants began blossoming. Though 70 degrees might feel toasty for a populous that hasn’t felt it since October 20, it’s still pretty mild.

“If anything, the weather we've had this year has probably been good for us so far,” says Megan Hallstone of Columbia Farms on Sauvie Island—a frigid period this winter will ensure fewer pests make it to growing season. Outside of that, “we’re just kind of waiting,” she says.

Come next month, we can join the farmers in wringing our hands over weather fluctuations. For now, go ahead and enjoy this subjective heat wave dread free.