MINNEAPOLIS — Goodbye, winter. Hello, spring — finally.

Minnesotans are saying farewell to heavy jackets as temperatures in the southern part of the state rose above 70 Friday.

The National Weather Service says the Twin Cities south to Mankato, Owatonna and Albert Lea all reached the 70s.

Just earlier this week, Twin Cities residents were digging out from yet another spring snowfall. But now metro restaurants are opening their patio dining.

The warm spell is forecast to continue through the weekend. Sunday night brings the chance of showers and thunderstorms in southeast Minnesota.