Every fall, a big deal is made over the first frost. And rightly so.

But after a long winter of living below freezing night and day, perhaps more mention could be made of the first night when the temperature stays above freezing.

That happened last night. The low got down to 39. As of 9 a.m. today, it was the first 24 hours of continuous thaw this year.

After living through months on end with temperatures below freezing all of the day, most of the day or part of the day, it sure is nice to experience at least a full 24 hours above freezing.

No frost on the windshields. No melted snow turned to sidewalk ice. No chill in your bones when you step outside.

March always seems like a drawn-out fight between winter and spring. Some days winter wins. Some days spring wins. But when the first 24 hours of thawing occurs, it seems spring finally breaks winter’s grip. Sure, it is going to get below freezing again another night, but not for much longer. Soon, the spring thaw will be all around us.

Of course, that means flooding, but — looking on the bright side — at least we won’t be so awfully cold and frozen anymore.