Snow and ice in NYC are expected to be gone next week

Weather experts say New York City's remaining snow and ice should finish melting by late next week as temperatures rise above freezing, with highs forecast mainly in the high 30s to mid 40s.

The city began a steady thaw on Tuesday after weeks of very cold weather, and forecasters expect a warmer pattern to continue into next week. Meteorologists say warm wind, fog and sustained above-freezing temperatures speed snowmelt. Current snow depth in the city is reported at about five inches, though plowed piles remain taller in some spots. The remaining snow dates to Winter Storm Fern, which dropped more than a foot on Jan. 25. Current outlook: - Forecasters anticipate highs in the high 30s to low 40s through the end of next week. - Temperatures could reach the mid-40s on some days, with forecasts noting possible highs near 46 on Saturday and 45 the following Thursday. - The combination of breezy, above-freezing winds and occasional fog is expected to accelerate surface melting. - The measured snow depth in many locations is about 5 inches, but snow-plowed piles are still present and taller in some areas. - Scattered wintry mix or light flurries are possible on Sunday and next Wednesday. - Forecasts call for one more period of colder-than-average temperatures late in the month into early March, but forecasters say it would be milder than the recent extreme cold. Summary: City officials and weather experts report that warming temperatures and wind should allow most snow and ice in New York City to melt by late next week. Remaining uncertainty centers on how quickly plowed piles and shaded areas clear, and forecasts note a weaker cold period could return late this month into early March.