Buffalo, NY (WBEN) We're in the final days of the winter season, per the calendar, but Mother Nature apparently will lag behind for a few more days. One TV meteorologist says the corner will turn toward warmer weather will come with the turn of the calendar page.

"No fooling, April 1st," forecasts Kevin O'Connell of Channel 2. O'Connell says there's a minimal amount of ice on Lake Erie, a little more than last winter, just five percent of coverage. He says he's looked at longer range forecasts, and "we'll still be in a cooler than normal pattern with on again off again precip. We'll have warm enough days to keep it rain as opposed to snow."

"If you're looking for something significant to make your plans to do spring cleaning and the like, the first and second weeks of April will give you that opportunity," says O'Connell. "This will be the time when we get sunnier days and improves our disposition."

O'Connell says weather patterns are consistent to the point they're reliable enough for him to say the spring weather will arrive right around Easter. Spring on the calendar arrives Wednesday.