TAUNTON, Mass. — Unseasonably warm weather smashed temperature records across southern New England on Wednesday, the National Weather Service reported.

The temperature in Hartford, Connecticut, climbed to 74 degrees. That broke the city's record for highest temperature recorded in the month of February. The previous all-time high was 73 degrees, recorded on Feb. 24, 1985.

The temperature in Boston climbed to 64 degrees late Wednesday morning, breaking the prior record for Feb. 21 of 63 set in 1906. Providence, Rhode Island also hit 64, breaking the prior record for the day of 63, both set in 1930.

Worcester, Massachusetts' former record of 59 set in 1930 also was smashed.

But, the preview of spring disappeared quickly.

A cold front pushing through New England is expected to bring clouds and scattered to isolated rain showers Wednesday night, the National Weather Service said. That's expected to lead temperatures in most areas to fall by up to 40 degrees by morning.

The weather service predicted a light wintery mix of precipitation in many areas into Thursday evening with everything from snow to freezing rain.