5 Things You Need To Know Today, Monday, March 18

Here are 5 pieces of information to make your Monday feel a little bit less like Monday and to help you be the smartest person in the coffee shop.

1. Your 3-Day Local Weather Forecast:

• According to the NWS, today will be sunny, with a high near 36. Calm wind becoming southeast around 6 mph in the afternoon.
• Monday Night Snow, mainly after 2am. Patchy fog after 5am. Low around 29. East wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
• Tuesday Rain, snow, and sleet before 4pm, then rain likely between 4pm and 5pm, then rain and snow likely after 5pm. Patchy fog before 9am. High near 38. East wind 11 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
• Tuesday Night Rain and snow showers likely before 10pm, then a chance of snow showers. Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. West wind 9 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
• Wednesday A chance of snow showers before 3pm, then a slight chance of rain showers between 3pm and 5pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers after 5pm. Patchy fog before noon. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 38. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.

2. It's Happening Today: If you have any interest in world politics or in China specifically, this is a must-attend event. China: an uneasy relationship at the Wilmington Memorial Library, starting at 7 p.m.

3. By The Numbers: 248. The number of consecutive years New York City has hosted a St. Patrick's Day Parade.

4. Reader Comment of the Day: "Thank you Sen. Tarr for leading the charge on this. Once again, the Democrat-dominated MA government has slammed the door on the public's rights. It seems that being open and honest with the people who pay the taxes is just to risky. It is clear that the only folks who want transparency in government are the Republicans. If that weren't so, then posting votes would be part of the rules adopted." Reader Karin Rhoton, commenting on the Blog Post, "Fighting for Transparency."

5. Oh Yeah, And Another Thing: So you thought Winter was over did you? That day in the 50s last week lull you into thinking spring was here? About ready to make a pair of groundhog earmuffs? Yup, more snow on the way Monday night into Tuesday. Looking like about 6 inches for the Merrimack Valley.