Gusty winds to bring in deep freeze

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Gusty winds brought a mild morning, but changes for the afternoon as colder air made a rushing return to western Massachusetts.

Before the cold arrived, temperatures pushed close to 50 degrees in some neighborhoods, allowing lots of people the opportunity to head out into Springfield’s forest park.

"This is great, it's really great...I'm ready to be bundled inside. I don't think I'll be out here tomorrow," said Johnathan Shelton of Springfield.

The wind on Sunday was bringing in colder temperatures for the week ahead.

Temperatures this weekend jumped twenty degrees above average, but later on this week temperatures could drop fifteen degrees below average…continuing the pattern of wacky temperatures this winter.

"Like a roller coaster ride, we're really getting to the extremes this year I think. Compared to some of the other years that we've had, but it isn’t going to help on the heating bill in that case," said Richard Bak of Springfield.

While enjoying our last mild day for a while, people struggled to comprehend what temperatures near or below zero could feel like.

“Once you get to zero what difference does it make? Cold is cold, you just deal with it,” said Michael Baldini of East Forest Park.

And dealing with the type of cold that we haven't seen in over a year means you have to take extra steps to stay warm.

"I bundle up a lot more because I'm outside a lot for work…I put on extra layers and extra socks because my feet get cold, but that's it! And a hat, squish my hair all day," said Wendy Hutchins of West Springfield.

That's the price you pay to stay warm.