What a difference a week makes.

After bitter cold a week ago, a 60 degree temperature shift has much of the snow melting away this week, leaving snowmobile enthusiasts out to dry.

Not everyone is pulling for an early spring.

“A lot of people are ready for spring to come,” said Al Mullenbach, a member of the Good Time Riders snowmobile club. “I love snow and I love winter, so this bums me out.”

Above average temperatures — some topping 50 — could soon close local snowmobile trails, according to Mark Anderson, a member of the Good Time Riders club. He also grooms the trails.

Counties in eastern Minnesota have already closed the trails due to melting snow, and Anderson said Mower County could be next. Snow is likely to stick around in town, but the snow in open areas — like the trails — is melting fast. Anderson said snow bridges across creeks could become unstable as the melt continues.

“This is a pretty substantial warm-up,” Anderson said.

The promise of an early spring is teasing the Austin area. Local snow depth had dropped from 14 inches Sunday to about 5 inches Wednesday. All the snow in open areas could melt away by the end of the week, according to Brad Adams, a hydrometerological technician with the National Weather Service.

“It could be pretty much a done deal by Friday morning,” Adams said.

Snowmobilers are pulling for more snow to enjoy the last bits of winter. Mullenbach estimated six to eight inches of snow is going to be required before snowmobilers can venture back out on the trails.

“It’s kind of frustrating,” Mullenbach said. “We had such a good winter going here.”

Jeff Trimble, co-owner of Trimble’s Cycle Center, said the warm weather will put an abrupt halt to his snowmobile business. However, he noted it’s going to get people excited about riding motorcycles.

However, most people are expecting snow this March.

“By no means is winter over,” Trimble said.