CHICAGO (AP) — Blue skies and mild temperatures are luring winter-battered Midwesterners outside after weeks of subfreezing weather and snow.

But there are signs — melting snow, growing puddles — that Mother Nature is about to unleash a whole new headache: flooding.

Weeks of subfreezing weather are giving way, at least briefly, to temperatures in the 40s and 50s. And with more snow and even rain in the immediate forecast, many Midwestern cities are bracing for flooding, roof collapses and clogged storm drains.

A new layer of snow and sleet is forecast for early today, especially across Wisconsin, northern Illinois and parts of Indiana, before temperatures rise and change the precipitation to rain.

But temperatures are expected to drop by Sunday, meaning wet roads and sidewalks will likely freeze.

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