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Tulips, a sure sign of spring. (Photo: Kathleen Horan)

March is supposed to come in like a lion and go out like a lamb, but New Yorkers are not minding Mother Nature's ongoing confusion. Scores of sun worshippers packed the pedestrian mall in Times Square, lounging in chairs and enjoying temperatures that reached a high of 60 degrees.

New Yorkers also seemed to be walking a little slower, if that's possible, to prolong their time outdoors. The spring-like weather inspired Manhattan's Stacy Wagener to dine at an outdoor cafe in Gramercy Park with her dog. What a difference a week makes, she says:

"Oh, I'm much happier today than the day it was snowing...actually last week was particularly difficult. It just seemed so cold and nasty every day, and I thought...ugh!"

Miles Williams from the Bronx has been a New Yorker his whole life, but after record cold temperatures this year, he was getting sick and tired of the weather here.

"I thought March was going to bring about, like, so much snow storms and stuff, but we've been pretty lucky," Williams says. "And I can't say enough how blessed I am right now, just to see the sun in my face."

Downtown, in Hudson River Park, people were napping and some were reading. But for a dog trainer who gave only her initials, JB, the warmth helps her motivate her canine clientele: "Oh, when it's cold, you can't get the treats with your fingers. And your fingers become numb, so yes, it can be a little handicapping."

At the time JB was training a miniature pinscher and a miniature Australian shepherd.

The good weather should hold up for at least another day.