[UPDATED] Cedar Rapids Sets First Record High in Long Time

[UPDATE 2 PM] Cedar Rapids did set a new record high, reaching 67 degrees just before 2 p.m. At 4 p.m., we vaulted a degree higher, reaching 68 degrees.

[ORIGINAL STORY] It could be a record-setting day in Cedar Rapids. The National Weather Service is forecasting a high temperature of 68 degrees, which would be the warmest March 9 in Cedar Rapids history. It would also be the first time in a long while we've set a new record high temperature.

The record high for Cedar Rapids today is 66 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. That was set back in 1977. Cedar Rapids may not have a huge amount of company in setting record highs today if it happens.

According to meteorologist Rebecca Kopelman at CBS 2 Iowa's News Now, Waterloo could eclipse its record-high of 63 degrees, set in 1990. The National Weather Service forecasts for both Dubuque and Burlington, don't show much promise that they'll set new marks.

Dubuque is expected to fall several degrees short of its record of 65 degrees that was set in 1977. Burlington's record is 74, set in 1986. They're forecast to hit just over 70 today.

If Cedar Rapids does set a record high today, it will be the first time it's happened since Christmas Day of 2019. On December 25, 2019, the mercury in Cedar Rapids rose to an amazing 59 degrees. That was one degree warmer than the previous record, 58, which had been the mark to beat since 1936.

We're due for some warmth. Especially when you consider February was the 7th coldest in Iowa over the last 126 years.

Record or not, today promises to be the third straight day of high temperatures in the 60s. I can't tell you how happy that makes me paired, of course, with the fact the snow is nearly gone!