PLATTSBURGH — It snowed Thursday morning in Lake Placid.

But by Saturday, temperatures in the North Country will hit 80 degrees.

A major warming trend will start today, and area residents are thrilled.

Chris Kent of Bloomingdale has to be in Albany on Saturday for a meeting that will kick off the volunteer building projects of Jehovah's Witnesses in the region.

"Then I'm going to play golf," he said Thursday.

He looks forward to this time of year — "Beautiful weather. Fishing and golfing season."

The National Weather Service office in Burlington reports that eastern Clinton County and northern Franklin County are likely to reach highs in the low 80s on Saturday and Sunday, with the rest of the region seeing high 70s.

And it's none too soon for most people.

Avid hikers are already lining up at popular trails around the Adirondacks, like Keeseville's Poke-O-Moonshine and New Russia's east entrance to Giant Mountain.

"From April 1 on, we're out here," said Darlene Imondi of Plattsburgh.

New York state allows trout fishing at that date.

"It's a great pastime," said Imondi's friend Scott McCarthy. "It's good for the kids, and maybe they'll learn something."

They and Imondi's kids were out in the Macdonough Monument area Wednesday.

"We'll be here," Imondi said of the coming weekend. "They'll do their stuff, and I'll just do my crafts and catch some sun."

Or they might take advantage of the best weather to help out Imondi's father.

"Yeah, that's fun," said 12-year-old Ryan Imondi. "I get to be with my grandfather. He's a carpenter, and he's taught me how to use the tools."

Michelle Houng has different plans for the weekend.

She has recently married a man from this area and moved to Plattsburgh two weeks ago from Boston.

"I'm going to barbecue," she said.

Rob Foster of Willsboro said he'll be inside most of the day Saturday, working on his Web site, which sells medication that takes acid out of food.

"Of course, we'll be outside doing some yard work, too," said his wife, Karen.

Hobbies are popular choices for warm weekends.

"Well, I plan to fish now that the water will be warming," James Shofner of Jay said. "Also, (my) car is in need of washing."

Moses Duprey of Plattsburgh wants to be outside this weekend, too.

"As long as it's nice, I'll be doing some yard work. I do like the fact that I can put away the snowblower."

He realizes it's probably going to be a good day to just relax outside but takes a more sensible approach to the better weather.

"Work before play," he said. "At least I'll get a tan while working."