The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, people were out in masses walking the streets and riding their motorcycles over the weekend. Going outside at any point this weekend felt like opening the door to a Bounce commercial.

“Yesterday I was out playing with my dog barefoot on the grass,” said Paula Greene.

Greene and about 15 other people, dogs in tow, were soaking up the sun’s rays at the Warwick City Park yesterday. The temperatures climbed as high as 62 degrees, only seven ticks shy of the record-breaking 69 degrees set in 1987, according to the National Weather Service.

After a disparaging January and February the mere sight of the sun was enough to put a smile on even the most cantankerous face.

“I had to work on Saturday and I cried a little because of how beautiful it was outside,” said Greene.

Studies show that a decrease in the amount of sunlight may lead to seasonal affective disorder (SAD) because sunlight stimulates serotonin and melatonin production in the brain, which are needed to maintain normal levels of happiness, according to the Mayo Clinic.

“I hope this weather stays because I can get outside, enjoy the outdoors and play with the pups,” said Beth Burdick.

She and her pooch Sadie spent the afternoon roller-skating around the city park with several very happy furry friends.

“They get cabin fever just like we do,” said Greene.

The dogs were not the only ones enjoying the weather. Children were seen flocking to swing sets and parks throughout the city.

“It’s nice out,” said 4-year-old Matthew Dion as he poked his head out of his mom’s sunroof.

Dion’s mom Kelly said that it was just nice to finally get out of the house, as she and her son sat at the dog park watching their puggle frolic with his equally blissful friends.

“I am just praying for no more snow,” said Erin Kavanagh.

The human body needs sunlight not only to help stimulate the chemicals that lift mood but also to produce vitamin D, which helps strengthen bones and teeth. Not having enough of this vitamin also puts people at risk for conditions such as diabetes, according to the Mayo Clinic.

While it was widely enjoyed, the early taste of spring will unfortunately be short lived.

“This really should be the end of it, there is a cold front coming in tonight bringing us down to normal,” said meteorologist Charlie Foley.

Normal temperatures for this time of year are around 45 degrees, with the lows in the upper 20’s.

Foley believes that temperatures will be dropping this week and continue into the weekend, but the Weather Channel is predicting that they will stay in the mid 50’s until next Monday. Looks like only Puxatawney Phil knows the real truth.