Mower County residents are sure to spend much of Tuesday gingerly shuffling across ice-glazed sidewalks and parking lots, but tomorrow will start a warm-up that should melt away the ice and last through at least through the weekend.

A storm brought a glaze of ice to the morning and afternoon commutes Monday and the wintry mix continued overnight, closing Austin Public Schools today and causing most other area districts to close or start late.

But Wednesday should start a trend of highs in the mid to upper 30s and possibly even the 40s through this weekend and possibly into the middle of next week, according to The National Weather Service in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.

Some longer range forecasts say Austin’s high should remain above freezing through next Wednesday, when snow is possible before temperatures drop to the 20s for the rest of next week.

Despite the warmer temperatures, Austin won’t be completely clear of winter weather.

Refreeze is possible overnight after temps around 32 cause melting before temperatures drop to the low 20s or upper teens overnight, which could cause slick spots on roads and sidewalks.

Thursday night and Friday morning will see a slight chance of freezing rain.