False Spring? A February 'Heat Wave' Is Smashing Records For The Third Year In A Row
A Southern "heat wave" will smash dozens of daily, and even a few monthly records from Colorado and Texas into the Deep South into this weekend. It's just the latest round of record warmth we've seen over the past few years in the U.S.
Notable records, so far: Monday, all-time February record highs were tied or set in at least six cities in Colorado, New Mexico and western Texas.
Among them, Grand Junction, Colorado, soared to 71 degrees, topping their previous record set 121 years ago in 1904 (and three weeks later in February).
Lubbock, Texas, not only tied their February record Monday (91 degrees), but it was also nine days earlier than their previous record earliest high in the 90s in any year (Feb. 12, 2017).
Typical for the Texas Panhandle, Amarillo tied their February record high Monday (89 degrees), then plunged to 21 degrees behind a cold front just 17 hours later.
Finally, Oklahoma set a state record high for any previous Feb. 3, according to the Oklahoma Mesonet project.
More to come this week: This pattern of spring-like warmth will continue over much of the South into this weekend.
In these areas, daytime highs in the 70s and 80s can be expected with lows generally in the 50s and 60s. In places such as Dallas-Ft. Worth, this warmth is considered average in April, rather than early February.
Dozens more daily warm records will likely fall by the wayside, particularly from Texas to the Carolinas. Some additional monthly records could also be threatened during this February heat wave.
(MORE MAPS: 10-Day U.S. Forecast Highs/Lows)
Reality check ahead: This being February, the heat wave couldn't last much longer.
More sustained colder air will plunge southward through the Plains Saturday, leaving much of Texas to the Tennessee Valley colder by Sunday into Monday.
This colder air could hang in place over most of the South much of next week, with the exception of areas near the northern Gulf Coast and Florida, according to NOAA's latest long-range outlook shown below.
Big February heat waves last two years: This makes the third consecutive year we've seen February heat waves smash monthly records in parts of the country.
Last year, an end of February heat wave sent temperatures soaring to 90 degrees in southeast Missouri and the low 70s in Lower Michigan. In all, 56 cities tied or set new record highs for any winter day from December through February in this heat wave.
And in late February 2023, Atlanta (81 degrees), Nashville (85 degrees) and Raleigh (85 degrees) each set their all-time winter month highs.
What a difference: This is an incredible contrast from last month, as the map below of January temperature anomalies shows.
According to Todd Crawford, Vice President of Meteorology at Atmospheric G2, it was America's coldest January since at least 2014. NOAA's January U.S. climate report to be released Monday will provide additional perspective on how cold January was here in the Lower 48 states.
January featured four major winter storms in under three weeks, beginning with Winter Storm Blair and punctuated by the historic Gulf Coast Winter Storm Enzo. Following Enzo, New Iberia (2 degrees), Lafayette (4 degrees), Baton Rouge (19 degrees) and New Orleans' Lakefront Airport (26 degrees) each set all-time record lows.
Jonathan Erdman is a senior meteorologist at weather.com and has been covering national and international weather since 1996. Extreme and bizarre weather are his favorite topics. Reach out to him on Bluesky, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
When does hurricane season start? What to know about 2025 hurricane season in Florida
Hurricane season kicked off June 1 in Florida. This year's hurricane season is expected to have above-normal activity — with 17 named storms, including nine hurricanes, four of which could be major, according to Colorado State University's early predictions. Weather agencies like NOAA and the National Hurricane Center mirror these early CSU predictions. NOAA released its predictions on May 22 that predict 13-19 total named storms with winds of 39 mph or higher. Of those, 6-10 are forecast to become hurricanes, including 3-5 major hurricanes over a Category 3. 'NOAA and the National Weather Service are using the most advanced weather models and cutting-edge hurricane tracking systems to provide Americans with real-time storm forecasts and warnings,' said Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in the May 22 release. 'With these models and forecasting tools, we have never been more prepared for hurricane season.' While there are no looming meteorological threats, here's what to know about hurricane season and how to follow the tropics. 2025 hurricane guide: What to know about forecasts, emergency alerts Tropics watch: As Saharan dust moves through Florida, National Hurricane Center watching tropical wave The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, peaking around mid-August and late October because the water in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of America, formerly known as Gulf of Mexico, gets warm enough to help support tropical wave development. Three hurricanes made landfall in Florida, but only one passed through the Treasure Coast. The three storms were the following: Hurricane Helene Hurricane Debby Hurricane Milton Hurricane Milton exited off Florida's East Coast as a Category 1 hurricane with light winds and rain, causing few problems on the Treasure Coast. However, 14 tornadoes spawned on Oct. 9 before Milton made landfall later that day, destroyed countless homes, wreaked havoc on multiple neighborhoods and killed seven people — six during a tornado and one during hurricane prep. There have been 17 hurricanes that have passed through the Treasure Coast dating back to 1871. Of the 17, eight have made landfall on the Treasure Coast, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Historical Hurricane Tracker. Nicole: Category 1 when it hit near Vero Beach in 2022 Jeanne: Category 3 when it hit near Sewall's Point in 2004 Frances: Category 2 when it hit near Sewall's Point in 2004 Erin: Category 1 when it hit near Vero Beach in 1995 David: Category 2 when it hit near Hobe Sound in 1979 Unnamed: Category 1 when it hit near Hobe Sound in 1933 Unnamed: Category 2 when it hit Hutchinson Island in 1928 Unnamed: Category 2 when it hit north of Hobe Sound in 1871 Here's what NOAA and recommend for hurricane preparation: Develop an evacuation plan: If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there. Assemble disaster supplies: Whether you're evacuating or sheltering-in-place, you're going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy aftermath, NOAA said. Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions: Contact your insurance company or agent now and ask for an insurance check-up to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and/or belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance doesn't cover flooding, so you'll need a separate policy for it. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent or the National Flood Insurance Program. Act now, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period. Create a family communication plan: NOAA said to take the time now to write down your hurricane plan, and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places, and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation. Strengthen your home: Now is the time to improve your home's ability to withstand hurricane impacts. Trim trees; install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and/or impact glass; seal outside wall openings. USA Today reporter Gabe Hauari contributed to this story. Gianna Montesano is TCPalm's trending reporter. You can contact her at 772-409-1429, or follow her on X @gonthescene. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: When does hurricane season start and end? Hurricane preparation
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
NOAA expects up to 5 major hurricanes in 2025: 'Be prepared'
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Many people are still recovering from devastating storms during the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season even as this year's season began this week on June 1. And like last year's, the 2025 hurricane season is anticipated to be busier than normal. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 every year, and before it begins, forecasters at the Climate Prediction Center (CPC), part of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service, share their thoughts on what type of storm activity we could see. For the 2025 season, CPC researchers forecast that chances sit at 60% that it will be "above normal," with the number of named storms between 13 to 19 (where wind speeds get up to a minimum of 39 mph, or 63 kph). Of those named storms, six to ten are anticipated to reach hurricane strength (winds of at least 74 mph, or 119 kph), and between three to five will develop into major hurricanes. Major hurricanes are defined as those that grow to at least Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, meaning sustained winds reach a minimum of 111 mph (179 kph). Typically, for a hurricane season to be "normal," there will be 14 named storms, where seven strengthen into hurricanes and three are major. These storms have the potential to impact millions of people, NOAA leaders say. "As we witnessed last year with significant inland flooding from hurricanes Helene and Debby, the impacts of hurricanes can reach far beyond coastal communities," Laura Grimm, acting NOAA Administrator, said in a statement. "NOAA is critical for the delivery of early and accurate forecasts and warnings, and provides the scientific expertise needed to save lives and property." To determine how busy the season could be, forecasters consider a variety of factors. This year, the prediction was made based on a persistence of neutral El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions, ocean temperatures trending above average, the likelihood of weak wind shear, and a possibility of increased activity from the West African monsoon (this is where hurricanes in the Atlantic primarily originate). With the continuation of elevated ocean temperatures and decreased trade winds, there's more energy available to fire up tropical systems and less of a chance storms will be disrupted or "torn apart" while they are forming. Also, with the possibility that the West African monsoon will shift to the north, this would set the stage for the production of tropical waves that can turn into powerful and long-duration systems in the Atlantic. RELATED STORIES: — Satellites reveal Hurricane Helene's deadly fury as a monster Category 4 storm during landfall (videos) — 'Their loss diminishes us all': Scientists emphasize how Trump's mass NOAA layoffs endanger the world — Scientists warn of consequences as over 800 NOAA workers are fired: 'Censoring science does not change the facts' NOAA leaders stress that the 2024 season should serve as a reminder of why forecasting is so vital to ensure that as many people are as prepared as possible during hurricane season. "In my 30 years at the National Weather Service, we've never had more advanced models and warning systems in place to monitor the weather," Ken Graham, NOAA's National Weather Service Director, said in a statement. "This outlook is a call to action: be prepared. Take proactive steps now to make a plan and gather supplies to ensure you're ready before a storm threatens." It is important to note that the outlook NOAA puts out every season refers specifically to the development of storms, and it is not a prediction for landfalling storms. There will be another update in early August from NOAA's CPC to the seasonal outlook, which will account for how the season is progressing, which also takes place just before the climatological peak of the season.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
It's been nearly a century since Chicago saw a powerful dust storm like this (photos)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. In mid-May, a giant wall of dust paraded across parts of the U.S. Midwest, and, thanks to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) East satellite, we were able to follow along. In mid-May, a giant wall of dust paraded across parts of the U.S. Midwest, and, thanks to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) East satellite, we were able to follow along. The GOES-19 spacecraft, which has been in space for less than a year after launching in late June 2024, took over the GOES East spot back in April. Hanging out at 22,236 miles (35,785 kilometers) above the planet, the next-gen satellite watches over the Western Hemisphere; it keeps a close eye on our weather, takes measurements to study our climate and monitors and tracks wildfires as they develop. In addition, by being in the right place at the right time, GOES East can document historic weather events from beginning to end. Dust storms are pretty rare across the Great Lakes region, but on May 16, one developed across northern Illinois and proceeded east through metropolitan Chicago and northern Indiana. It sprang from a group of severe thunderstorms in central Illinois, as strong winds began to kick up dust on dry farmland. As the storms progressed east, a massive dust cloud formed, situating itself just behind the front edge of the outflow winds of the thunderstorm. The powerful winds continued to drive the dust storm, with gusts reaching more than 60 mph (97 kph) at times. This part of the country is more accustomed to Snow Squall Warnings, in which intense bands of snow can drop visibility quickly to zero and are accompanied by howling winds. But this time, it was the curtain of dust, not snow, that prompted the National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast Office in Chicago to issue alerts, with visibilities reaching close to zero at several instances. Throughout the event, four separate Dust Storm Warnings were released, with the criteria of winds of at least 20 mph (32 kph) paired with widespread blowing dust, dropping the visibility to 0.25 miles (0.4 kilometers) or less. RELATED STORIES — NOAA expects up to 5 major hurricanes in 2025: 'Be prepared' — The newest GOES weather satellite in NOAA's fleet is now fully operational (video) — Trump administration's NOAA layoffs affected the space weather service that tracks solar storms While dust storms are not common throughout the Midwest, they're extremely rare in the Windy City. The most recent dust storm to affect Chicago took place on May 31, 1985, but it was nowhere near the strength of this one. The NWS Chicago office confirmed that it's been close to a century since the city was hit with an event of this proportion; that storm took place in the early to mid-1930s, during the Dust Bowl era.
