For those local residents eager for the arrival of spring, the relative warmth forecast for the next few days will offer a pleasant departure from the sub-freezing temperatures of late.

National Weather Service meteorologists are calling for daytime high temperatures to rise above the freezing mark through at least Wednesday, Jan. 24. Mostly sunny skies today and Saturday will add to nature’s snow melting capabilities.

The chance of rain during this forecast period is no greater than 60 percent Monday.

But with several inches of snow on the ground — Cambridge Water Plant staff measured 6 inches Thursday morning — some might be concerned with potential flooding as the snow melts.

The official word? Should not be a problem.

(Reportedly, 13 inches of snow generally equals an inch of rain. This can vary greatly though,depending on the water content of the snow. In fact, to equal an inch of liquid, almost 50 inches of very dry, powdery snow would be required under certain conditions.)

According to the National Weather Service, Wills Creek at Cambridge stood at 5.13 feet at 11 a.m. Thursday. Forecasters called for the level to gradually decline to slightly less than 5 feet by midday Sunday, before climbing during the following 24 hours to about 5.5 feet at midday Jan. 22.

This forecast incorporates anticipated snow melt, as well as additional rainfall and snow. It can, of course, be altered as conditions change.

Flood stage for Wills Creek at Cambridge is 15 feet.

And for those mark-every-day-off-the-calendar-until-spring-arrives folks out there ... just 60 more days.

ddavis@daily-jeff.com