The winter’s storms have blown a large hole in VDOT’s hard-pressed maintenance budget. The Virginia Department of Transportation has spent about $205 million to clear snow from the state’s highways this year, and that figure is likely to go up as more bills from the record-breaking storms come in, said Connie Sorrell, the department’s chief of system operations.

The unofficial weather forecast: spring fever. Richmond should enjoy lots of sun and temperatures in the 70s through Sunday, including a high in the mid-70s on Saturday, the National Weather Service says. There could be some showers Sunday afternoon. Then, after hitting the low 60s early in the week, temperatures should rise again, said Wayne Albright, a weather service meteorologist.

If you enjoyed the weather today, look for more of the same in coming days. The forecast calls for lots of sun and temperatures in the 70s through Sunday, including a high in the mid-70s on Saturday, the National Weather Service says.

Road crews have patched more than 43,000 potholes in a pothole “blitz” across the state so far this month, state officials say. Virginia Department of Transportation spokesman Jeffrey Caldwell called this year’s slew of potholes “above average” but not necessarily historic yesterday. In 2003, for instance, then-Gov. Mark R. Warner ordered a blitz that resulted in 95,000 potholes fixed in two weeks, according to a VDOT official.

With truckloads of sandbags rolling into cities like Fargo, N.D. and Moorhead, Minn., the government confirmed residents’ fears Tuesday, forecasting major flooding in the Midwest following a wetter than normal winter.

Showers should end and skies should gradually clear today, after five consecutive days of rain brought the Richmond region nearly 2½ inches of precipitation, the National Weather Service says. “We’re looking for our low-pressure system, which caused all of this rain coming through our region . . . to continue to move off to the east through the next 12 to 24 hours,“ Mike Montefusco, a meteorologist in the weather service’s Wakefield office, said late yesterday afternoon. “And that will move offshore with high pressure moving in, and that should allow for gradually improving weather conditions.“

A torrential rainstorm that brought heavy winds to the Northeast, downing trees, flooding roadways and knocking out power, continued to pour rain on New England on Monday.

Heavy rains could cause river flooding and flash floods in the northern, western and southwestern parts of Virginia over the next few days, state officials say. Melting snow could contribute to the problem. People should be prepared to evacuate from quickly rising water. Rivers are forecast to crest late tomorrow or early Monday, after the rains stop, officials said. Flooding could occur as late as Tuesday or Wednesday.

Residents in Northern, western and Southwestern Virginia should be prepared for river flooding and flash flooding as rains continue through Saturday night, state officials said today. Melting snow could contribute to the flooding. Virginians should be aware of their risk for flooding and be prepared to evacuate from quickly rising water if necessary, officials said.

Two tornadoes ripped through central Florida, damaging 28 units at a golf resort and leaving five of the condos uninhabitable.

Some people seem to think this winter’s snows prove that global warming is a bunch of hot air. They are wrong, the experts say. “That is totally a red herring,“ said Jerry Stenger, director of the University of Virginia’s climatology office. “That’s just silly,“ said Jim Kinter, a meteorologist and part-time George Mason University faculty member.

Here’s something you haven’t heard in awhile: There is no winter weather in sight. “Spring is for the most part taking over for the next week,“ said Larry Brown, a National Weather Service meteorologist. “Beyond that is a tough call.“ A storm Tuesday night and yesterday morning dropped up to a half-inch of slushy snow on the Richmond area. Most of it disappeared quickly.

Charlottesville officials say road repairs that are necessary because of this winter’s nasty weather could cost around $1 million, upping the city’s winter storm-related expenses to more than $2 million. On Tuesday, Richmond officials announced snow-removal costs alone totaled about $2 million, for which they had $814,000 available. Since late December, Charlottesville has seen 56.5 inches of snow, according to totals recorded at McCormick Observatory. During an average winter, the city sees about 18 inches.

The storm Tuesday night and this morning dropped up to a half-inch of slushy snow on the Richmond area.

After enduring a little more winter weather, people are pondering signs of spring. An overnight storm should not cause problems for Richmond-area drivers this morning, the National Weather Service said yesterday. “I believe roads will be fine,“ said Mike Montefusco, a weather service meteorologist. The storm was expected to drop an inch or less of snow locally and 1 to 3 inches near the North Carolina line.