By Jennifer Glickel and Serena Solomon
DANinfo Reporters/Producers
New Yorkers’ Monday blues were greeted with bright skies and warm temperatures to kick off the workweek, hinting that spring may be arriving earlier than expected.
After a generally balmy and cloudless weekend, Manhattanites shed their heavy winter coats for lighter attire on Monday as temperatures peaked in the mid- to upper-50s during the afternoon.
"Indeed it has been a lovely day," said Alphonsus Vitale, 81, who came outside to sun himself with a friend near City Hall on Monday afternoon.
"We have cabin fever, and we are out for the sunshine."
Hanging out nearby, Lindsey Salerno, 19, took the opportunity to soak up the warm weather by donning a pair of shorts.
"I was like, ‘Oh my god, the sun is out. I have to do this,’” she said of her fashion choice.
Others, like 37-year-old Sam Colon, said the spring-like conditions improved his overall demeanor.
"I am enjoying the weather today. I am prone to mood swings," he said while taking in some rays on a park bench near City Hall. "I feel down sometimes. It's hard to get up and get out when I see it is dark outside."
In Murray Hill, attorney Josh Saland sat in a courtyard attempting to thaw himself out from the deep freeze.
“I’m just getting as much sun as I can,” he said. “Winter’s been a little rough. It’s been a winter where you want to stay inside all the time. So on a day like today, I want to be out enjoying the weather as much as possible.”
Nick Berard, a student studying physical therapy, said he welcomed the unexpected warmth given he was in the middle of taking mid-term exams.
“This weather is amazing,” said Berard, who was walking along First Avenue near 28th Street. “I was going to take the bus today, but I just had to walk because it’s so nice out.”
The rest of the week promises to bring equally agreeable temperatures, with highs in the low- to mid-50s expected through the weekend.
