Warm air is helping melt away the snowpack in the upper Midwest, and that trend is expected to continue through about mid-month until things turn cooler in the central third of the country. Meanwhile, a system will deliver precipitation to parts of California and the central and southern Plains where moisture is badly needed. As it moves east, it could deliver heavy rainfall to the mid-South, creating flooding in some areas. The general warming trend for the northern Plains will slowly spread eastward through the middle of next week when the jet stream pattern will shift, leading to cooling temps and a more active pattern for the central U.S. In general, the next week to 10 days of weather is a sign that “Spring is on the way,” one forecaster said Thursday. See more from the latest outlook.