NOME -- Residents of Nome experienced their warmest day in nearly two years Thursday when the temperature reached 76 degrees.

The National Weather Service says that was the warmest day in Nome since July 10, 2010, when it was 79 degrees. Meteorologist Wes Adkins credits the warmth to offshore winds.

The recent warm spell is likely to be short-lived: Adkins says temperatures Saturday are expected nearer normal, in the 50s.

The weather service says Nome hasn't seen temperatures in the 80s since July 5, 2008.