Jump to content
  • Member Statistics

    18,648
    Total Members
    25,819
    Most Online
    Donut Hole
    Newest Member
    Donut Hole
    Joined

February 2026 OBS & Discussion


 Share

Recommended Posts


12 / -1 off a low of 4 here.  Back near - to or above freezing for highs today , a tad warmer Tuesday and Wed many will breach 40 (last time was 1/22).   Brief reinforcing shot of cold Thu/Fri but moderated.  Weekend looking dry with the storm now focused on later Sunday - the 16th.  Track key and most overnight forecasts had mainly a mix to rain but the QPF could be robust.  Way beyond looks near normal.

 

GOES19-EUS-02-1000x1000.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 2/8/2026 at 8:54 AM, jbenedet said:

And yet didn’t come close to the all time records.
 

To me we've just seen the new rock bottom in temps for this part of the world.

The antecedent significant cold was one ingredient. The second being that this airmass had no mitigating factors on its way to NY.


The only offset was that it originated over a much warmer 70N+…

It’s interesting that the last top 10 coldest temperature for Boston in 2023 was during one of its warmest winters. 
 

Time Series Summary for Boston Area, MA (ThreadEx) - Dec through Feb Lowest Minimum Temperature 
Click column heading to sort ascending, click again to sort descending.
1 1933-1934 -18 0
2 1942-1943 -14 0
- 1917-1918 -14 0
3 1881-1882 -13 0
4 1956-1957 -12 0
- 1883-1884 -12 0
5 1913-1914 -11 0
- 1895-1896 -11 4
- 1875-1876 -11 0
6 2022-2023 -10 0
- 1885-1886 -10 0
- 1884-1885 -10 0
7 2015-2016 -9 0
8 1919-1920 -8 0
- 1902-1903 -8 0
- 1872-1873 -8 0
9 2003-2004 -7 0
- 1980-1981 -7 0
- 1906-1907 -7 0
- 1893-1894 -7 8
10 1923-1924 -6 0
- 1903-1904 -6 0
- 1894-1895 -6 8
- 1887-1888 -6 0
- 1877-1878 -6 0


 

Time Series Summary for Boston Area, MA (ThreadEx) Warmest Winters
Click column heading to sort ascending, click again to sort descending.
1 2001-2002 37.8 0
2 2019-2020 37.7 0
3 2015-2016 37.5 0
4 2011-2012 37.1 0
5 2022-2023 36.7 0
6 1932-1933 36.6 0
7 2023-2024 36.4 0
8 2016-2017 35.6 0
9 1990-1991 35.4 0
- 1931-1932 35.4 0
10 1936-1937 35.2 0
- 1912-1913 35.2 0

 

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Records:

Highs:

EWR: 63 (1990)
NYC: 63 (1990)
LGA: 62 (199))
JFK: 60 (1949)


Lows:

EWR: -14 (1934) coldest observed/recorded at EWR since 1930
NYC: -15 (1934)
LGA: 7 (1979)
JFK: 8 (1979)

Historical:

1741: The greatest snowstorm of the hard winter season occurred producing 3 feet near Hartford, CT. (Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1870 - President Ulysses S. Grant signed a law "to provide for taking meteorological observations at the military stations in the interior of the continent." A petition submitted by Increase A Lapham to Congressman Halbert E Paine in December 1869 began this process.

 

1899: One of the most significant cold outbreaks to ever impact the United States occurred early to mid-February. From the 8th-11th, the statewide average temperature across Iowa was 14.6 degrees below zero, making it the coldest four-day stretch on record in the state. On the 8th, Sioux City experienced its coldest day on record, with a daily average temperature of 24 degrees below zero. Then on the 11th, they reached their second-coldest temperature on record with a low of minus 31. Overall the coldest readings were obtained on the morning of the 9th when reported low temperatures included -21 at Keokuk, -23 at Des Moines, -33 at New Hampton, -35 at Le Mars, -38 at Estherville, and -40 at Sibley. The cold across the middle of the country was so extreme and persistent that ice floes down the Mississippi River into the deep south, emerging into the Gulf of Mexico near New Orleans on February 17th. This has happened only one other time: February 13, 1784. The temperature dropped to 63 degrees below zero at Norway House, Manitoba, Canada setting the province's low-temperature record.

1933 - The temperature at Moran, WY, located next to Teton National Park, plunged to 63 degrees below zero to establish a state record. The temperature at the Riverside Ranger Station in Montana dipped to 66 below zero to establish a record for the state, and a record for the nation which stood until 1954. (David Ludlum)

1934 - The mercury dipped to 51 degrees below zero at Vanderbilt to establish a record for the state of Michigan. The temperature at Stillwater plunged to 52 degrees below zero to establish a record for the state of New York. (David Ludlum)

1960: The mercury soared to 102° in Rio Grande City, Texas. Just two days later, there was 10 inches of snow at Port Arthur. (Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1967: Atlantic City, NJ was hit by its 2nd major snowstorm in 3 days as they received 14 inches. (Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1969: A major winter storm pounded the Northeast. Bedford, MA recorded 25 inches of snow, 20 inches fell at New York City, NY and Portland, ME recorded 22 inches. Drifts would pile up to 20 feet in places. Known as the "Lindsay Storm" because of the political fallout that resulted for New York Mayor John Lindsay. Mayor John Lindsay ran into political misfortune after sections of New York City remained unplowed for a week after the storm. 800 cars were stranded on New York's Tappan-Zee Bridge. Damages totaled over $10 million dollars. (Ref. Wilson Wx. History) Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 32nd Worst Snowstorm

1977: Chicago, Illinois: The Windy City sees its longest recorded stretch of sub-freezing days end at 43. Seventeen days during the run had minimum temperatures below zero °F, the coldest being -19 °F. (Ref. WxDoctor)
 

1987 - A storm off the Atlantic coast produced high winds and heavy snow in the northeastern U.S., with blizzard conditions in eastern Massachusetts. Wind gusted to 80 mph and 23.4 inches of snow produced drifts eight feet high at Cape Cod MA. It was the worst blizzard in thirty years for the Cape Cod area. Winds in some of the mountains and ridges of the Appalachian Region gusted to 100 mph. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1988 - Arctic cold invaded the north central U.S. Alliance NE plunged from 44 degrees to 12 above in just two hours, and Mobridge SD reported a wind chill of 64 degrees below zero. Winds along the eastern slopes of the Rockies gusted to 90 mph at Cheyenne WY, and reached 96 mph at Boulder CO. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1989 - A winter storm continued to bring rain and snow to southern California. Snowfall totals ranged up to 18 inches at Olancha, with three inches at Palmdale. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1990 - Thunderstorms developing ahead of a cold front erupted over eastern Texas late in the morning, and produced severe weather as they swept across the southeastern states. Early evening thunderstorms spawned a tornado which injured one person at Nat TX, and produced tennis balls size hail which caused more than half a million dollars damage around Shreveport LA. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1994 - A devastating ice storm struck Mississippi, Louisiana, and extreme northwest Alabama. Freezing rain began falling over northern Mississippi during the early morning hours and continued until midday on the 10th. Ice accumulated 3 to 6 inches thick on exposed objects in the affected area. Due to the weight of the ice, power lines, trees, and tree limbs were down. Nearly one million people were without power after the storm, some for a month.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Chill Ice box 

 

2/7
EWR;  28 / 7 (-16) 
NYC:  27 / 6 (-17)
LGA;  28 / 7 (-17)
JFK:  28 / 6 (-16)

 

2/8:
EWR:  19 / 5 (-22)
NYC: 18 / 3 (-24)
LGA: 20 / 5 (-22)
JFK:  18 / 3 (-22)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, Brian5671 said:

Too much of a good thing (the cold)   Dry as a bone since the 1/25 storm

 

Lets hope when the forecasted proverbial flood gates open 2/15-2/16 we can hold onto the cold for some duration.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

23 minutes ago, the_other_guy said:

After all this we are going to put a near goose egg in the snowfall books for February? Is this really unfolding in front of us?

FYI today is Feb. 9th - premature IMO to even entertain that thought sorry ! Reminds me of all the warmsters here back in early January 

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It’s par for the course after the 1995-1996 winter for consecutive 10”+ snowfall months to be followed by one under 10”. Very difficult to go 3 in a row in the this area. Snowy patterns have been difficult to sustain for more than a month or two around here. These are all the winters at ISP with 10”+ Decembers.
 

Monthly Total Snowfall for ISLIP-LI MACARTHUR AP, NY 10”+ months bolded 
Click column heading to sort ascending, click again to sort descending.
2009-2010 0.0 25.3 6.4 21.7 0.4 0.0 53.8
2002-2003 1.0 16.0 2.6 26.3 3.7 5.0 54.6
2003-2004 0.0 15.5 19.1 1.1 5.7 0.0 41.4
2010-2011 T 14.9 34.4 3.9 2.1 T 55.3
1995-1996 3.0 13.3 20.2 19.0 12.0 9.6 77.1
2025-2026 T 12.5 14.9 1.2 M M 28.6
1969-1970 T 12.0 7.0 7.0 1.0 T 27.0
1975-1976 T 11.0 7.8 7.5 3.9 0.0 30.2
1963-1964 T 11.0 11.7 16.0 1.0 0.0 39.7
2000-2001 0.0 10.8 9.2 8.6 10.3 T 38.9
2008-2009 T 10.4 8.9 3.3 13.6 T 36.2
1988-1989 0.0 10.4 4.4 1.2 3.0 T 19.0
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, bluewave said:

It’s par for the course after the 1995-1996 winter for consecutive 10”+ snowfall months to be followed by one under 10”. Very difficult to go 3 in a row in the this area. Snowy patterns have been difficult to sustain for more than a month or two around here. These are all the winters at ISP with 10”+ Decembers.
 

Monthly Total Snowfall for ISLIP-LI MACARTHUR AP, NY 10”+ months bolded 
Click column heading to sort ascending, click again to sort descending.
2009-2010 0.0 25.3 6.4 21.7 0.4 0.0 53.8
2002-2003 1.0 16.0 2.6 26.3 3.7 5.0 54.6
2003-2004 0.0 15.5 19.1 1.1 5.7 0.0 41.4
2010-2011 T 14.9 34.4 3.9 2.1 T 55.3
1995-1996 3.0 13.3 20.2 19.0 12.0 9.6 77.1
2025-2026 T 12.5 14.9 1.2 M M 28.6
1969-1970 T 12.0 7.0 7.0 1.0 T 27.0
1975-1976 T 11.0 7.8 7.5 3.9 0.0 30.2
1963-1964 T 11.0 11.7 16.0 1.0 0.0 39.7
2000-2001 0.0 10.8 9.2 8.6 10.3 T 38.9
2008-2009 T 10.4 8.9 3.3 13.6 T 36.2
1988-1989 0.0 10.4 4.4 1.2 3.0 T 19.0

NYC average snowfall for February is still under 10 inches - anything more is above average of course and not expected BUT not impossible

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, NyWxGuy said:

Yes. Steve D from NYNJPA weather says we’re In a lose lose situation for the weekend. Trough digs too much in southeast so it’s a southern slider or the western trough digs too much so the storm amps up and cuts. No favorable pattern for snow for mid Atlantic for a while, he says. Our hopes for an average snowfall season will have to hinge on a March SSW I believe 

Storm is not going to cut past the lower Ohio Valley because of all the blocking up north - it's going to be a Miller B where it reforms somewhere off the Mid- Atlantic coast and all the fine details are not obvious yet more questions than answers at the moment . As for Steve he has a knack for busts in his forecast just like many others online - not that there is anything wrong with that .

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 minutes ago, NyWxGuy said:

Yes. Steve D from NYNJPA weather says we’re In a lose lose situation for the weekend. Trough digs too much in southeast so it’s a southern slider or the western trough digs too much so the storm amps up and cuts. No favorable pattern for snow for mid Atlantic for a while, he says. Our hopes for an average snowfall season will have to hinge on a March SSW I believe 

What good is a March SSWE going to do? March is a spring month. There’s always a lag of weeks between when one happens and when it affects the tropospheric pattern. Met spring starts 3/1 and astronomical spring starts on 3/20. If you want a cold, wet/rainy spring then I guess you’d root for it…..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, snowman19 said:

What good is a March SSWE going to do? March is a spring month. There’s always a lag of weeks between when one happens and when it affects the tropospheric pattern. Met spring starts 3/1 and astronomical spring starts on 3/20. If you want a cold, wet/rainy spring then I guess you’d root for it…..

yeah you need it by about 2/20 for it to pay any dividends.   March 2018 had the SSW in mid Feb and then we had the epic month

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

30 minutes ago, NEG NAO said:

FYI today is Feb. 9th - premature IMO to even entertain that thought sorry ! Reminds me of all the warmsters here back in early January 

yeah, but we could see out a week. So it’s really not February 9. We’re really up to February 15 in a 28 day month. 

 

All we know is we’re halfway with nothing

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

20 minutes ago, NEG NAO said:

NYC average snowfall for February is still under 10 inches - anything more is above average of course and not expected BUT not impossible

We lost the snowy pattern back in late January. December was very unusual in that it was the first time we had two 4-8” clippers over such a short stretch for the month. It was the perfect 500mb pattern for maxing out the Northern Stream snowfall potential.

That pattern shifted in January which opened the door to our first widespread benchmark 10”+ snowstorm since 2022 as the forcing shifted east of the Dateline allowing the STJ to become active for a week.

The only time our area had multiple 10”+ snowstorms under 7 days apart was in February 1994. So that 2nd event which brought record snows to the Carolinas statistically would have been tough to pull off since we need more time for NESIS snowstorm patterns to reload here.

While we could have more accumulating snow before the season ends, this faster split flow regime probably won’t be able produce another widespread 10”+ benchmark event near the coast here. 

  • Like 3
  • 100% 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...