February 2026 OBS & Discussion

[nycsnow]

Just now, MJO812 said:

Wow what a turnaround 

Hopefully 6z euro was to north and warm… should be a fun day of tracking 

[SACRUS]

36 / 24 - warmest day since 1/22 in store with 40 - low 40s for many.  Outside of tomorrow and storm track Sun (2/15), 9 or 10 of next 11-12  days may get to or exceed 40s as we enter a warmer period - but still hovering closer to normal more north and east as ridge builds into the eastern 2/3 of the country. Shot at exceeding 50 since January in the 2/17 - 2/20 period.  Euro/ GGEM / German have robust QPF /  rain -  mix ay 06z / snower 00z / GFS/UKMET misses.  2/15-2/16 period to watch otherwise mainly dry.   Beyond there in the 2/22 period looks to revert colder - below avg to close the month.

[MJO812]

Eps and AI euro eps are impressive 

[doncat]

Barely any precip since the 25th snowstorm ( 0.02" ) so we'll be going on 3 weeks of dryness before our next chance of precip. Drought ongoing .

[SnoSki14]

14 minutes ago, nycsnow said:

Hopefully 6z euro was to north and warm… should be a fun day of tracking 

There's no cold air, it's going to be rain of it happens 

Hopefully we get the rain, we really need it.

[MJO812]

1 minute ago, SnoSki14 said:

There's no cold air, it's going to be rain of it happens 

Hopefully we get the rain, we really need it.

It depends on the track

[MJO812]

AI Euro keep bumping north with every run

[SACRUS]

Records:

Highs:
 

EWR: 66 (1960)
NYC: 65 (2009)
LGA: 63 (2009)
JFK: 62 (2009)

 

Low:

 

EWR: -1 (1979)
NYC: -2 (1899)
LGA: 2 (1979)
JFK: 3 (1962)

Historical:

1895: The low temperature was 11 degrees below zero at Moline, Illinois, marking the last of 16 consecutive days on which the low temperature was at or below zero. During the first 11 days of February, Moline's highest temperature was only 13 degrees above zero. Their current average high temperature for early February is in the lower 30s.

1899 - Perhaps the greatest of all arctic outbreaks commenced on this date. The temperature plunged to 61 degrees below zero in Montana. At the same time a "Great Eastern Blizzard" left a blanket of snow from Georgia to New Hampshire. The state of Virginia took the brunt of the storm, with snowfall totals averaging 30 to 40 inches. (David Ludlum)

1983 - The Middle Atlantic Coast States and southern New England were in the midst of a major snowstorm. In Pennsylvania, the storm produced 21 inches at Philadelphia, 24 inches at Harrisburg, and 25 inches at Allentown, establishing record 24 hour totals and single storm totals for those locations. New York City received 22 inches of snow, and 35 inches was reported at Glen Gary, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of West Virginia. Windsor Locks CT received a record 19 inches of snow in 12 hours. The storm resulted in forty-six deaths, thirty-three of which occurred when a freighter capsized and sank off the Maryland/Virginia coast. Heavy snow was reported from northeastern Georgia to eastern Maine. (10th-12th) (Storm Data) (The Weather Channel)

 

1983: Called the "Megalopolitan blockbuster snowstorm," this major snowstorm impacted the Mid-Atlantic and southern New England. Snowfall up to 25 inches fell at Allentown, Pennsylvania. Snowfall amount of 35 inches occurred in parts of the Blue Ridge Mountains of West Virginia at Glen Cary. Windsor Locks, Connecticut, recorded a record 19 inches in 12 hours. A ship sunk off the Virginia/Maryland coast, killing 33. There were 46 total storm-related fatalities. New 24-hour snowfall records were set in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Hartford, Connecticut. Five inches of snow in one hour was recorded at Allentown and Hartford. 

1987 - Denver, CO, reported only their third occurrence of record of a thunderstorm in February. Ten cities in the north central U.S. reported record high temperatures for the date. Huron SD reported February temperatures averaging 19 degrees above normal. Williston ND reported readings averaging 24 degrees above normal for the month. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1988 - Bitter cold air gripped the north central U.S. Morning lows of 35 degrees below zero at Aberdeen SD, Bismarck ND and International Falls MN were records for the date. Bemidji MN was, officially, the cold spot in the nation with a low of 39 degrees below zero, however, a reading of 42 degrees below zero was reported at Gettysburg SD. In the Northern High Plains Region, Baker MT warmed from 27 degrees below zero to 40 above. (The National Weather Summary)

1989 - While much of the continental U.S. enjoyed sunshine and seasonable temperatures, a strong weather system over the Hawaiian Islands deluged Honolulu with 2.5 inches of rain. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1990 - A winter storm produced up to ten inches of snow in Vermont, and up to nine inches of snow in Aroostook County of northeastern Maine. A three day snowstorm began to overspread Oregon, and the winter storm produced 29 inches of snow at Bennett Pass. Mild weather continued in the central U.S. La Crosse WI reported a record forty-seven consecutive days with temperatures above normal. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1994: THE GREAT SLEET STORM OF FEBRUARY 10-11 1994 This winter storm was most unique in that produced almost entirely sleet for the immediate DC metro area. To the north, heavy snow fell and to the south and east, freezing rain occurred producing a devastating ice storm. In the Washington area, the sleet accumulation averaged between 3 to 4 inches. The maximum sleet accumulation occurred over Central and western Fairfax County, with over 4 inches of sleet measured at several locations. Only two other sleet storms in Washington's history have compared to this storm-one occurred in 1920 and the other in 1927. The average sleet depth for the 1927 storm was 4.5 inches. Washington was lucky it was sleet and not a glaze as they received south of DC. In areas to the south where the ice storm (glaze) occurred there were some areas without electricity for nearly a month and most had no power for a week. (p. 95-96 Washington Weather Book 2002 by Ambrose, Henry, Weiss)
The Northeast was suffering under its 2nd winter storm in 3 days. Newark, NJ picked up 18 inches of snow on top of the foot that had fallen just a few days earlier. 18 inches fell at Newark, NJ & New Bedford and Hyannis, MA. 3 to 4 inches of sleet was reported at and around the Baltimore, MD – Washington, DC area.(Ref. Wilson Wx. History)Ref. (NWS Ranking for Storms between 1956 and 2011) This is the 17th Worst Snowstorm

1999: An F1 tornado did much damage to the ET Dunlap Center and nearby Kiamichi Tech Center in Idabel, Oklahoma. An instructor called in sick; the class was canceled; a damaged roof collapsed into the empty classroom. Good time for sickness! (Ref. Weather Guide Calendar with Phenomenal Weather Events 2011 Accord Pub. 2010, USA)

2004 - North Dakota Governor John Hoeven declares a snow emergency as winds gusting over 70 mph along with heavy snow produces low visibilities and drifts up to 20 feet in northwestern North Dakota. Amtrak train service is interrupted in the region. The Weather Doctor

2006 - Snowfall records fell in Philadelphia and Allentown, Pennsylvania, Bridgeport and Hartford, Connecticut, Newark, New Jersey, and Worchester and Boston, Massachusetts. The highest total reported was 30.2 inches at Fairfield, CT. New York City set a record one-day snowfall record of 26.9 inches in Central Park.

2010
The Nor'easter that blasted the region on February 10-11 was a true blizzard, with powerful winds that caused whiteout conditions. The 10 to 20 inches that smothered the urban areas from Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, added to the deep snowpack already on the ground, resulting in depths (two-three feet plus) rarely if ever seen in this part of the country. Due to the amount of snow deposited on populated areas, this was also rated a Category 3 storm, the third since December. In addition, the new snowfall totals took the winter season numbers over the top, upsetting records established more than a century ago. Over 55 inches fell from December to February in Washington, D.C., while the northern suburbs picked up officially as much as 98 inches, including 55 inches in nine days—numbers that seasoned weather observers thought they would never see in their lifetimes. From Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Atlantic City, New Jersey, this was not only the snowiest February on record, but the snowiest month ever. And, despite March being essentially snowless, Richmond, Virginia (28.0 inches); Washington, D.C. (56.1 inches at DCA and 73.2 inches at lAD); Baltimore, Maryland (77.0 inches); Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (78.7 inches); Wilmington, Delaware (72.7 inches); and Atlantic City, New Jersey (58.1 inches) all set records for the snowiest winter since modem recordkeeping began more than 130 years ago.
(Ref. U.S. Weather Highlights of 2010 page 2 )

2012: Thunder Snow with thunder heard at 1525 and 1526 and at 1528 during a snow squall. This was the first thunder snow we have observed at this station. (Records since August of 2008.) There was about a 3 to 5 minute period of snow pellets between 1506 and 1510. Heaviest snow was from 1525 to 1533 but some snow was melting as it fell as the temperature was above freezing during the even which started at 1505 and ended at 1545. The yard was becoming white around 1525 with snow and the deck is white and already covered but as hard as it snowing the street never became white as it was so warm. The low temperature during the snow was 34 °F and as soon as it was over it rose to 35 before falling again. This 0.5 inches was the most snow since January 25 and 26th of 2011 when 0.5 inches also occurred. (West Henrico Co. - Glen Allen Virginia Weather Center)


2013 :| The Hartford Courant Staff, The Hartford Courant on 2 - 12 - 2013 giving news from the 11th. As many businesses reopened after the weekend blizzard, snow-choked roadways in Hartford slowed the commute and caused traffic to backup onto highways. Traffic would have been worse but for the federal holiday that closed state government for the day. Hartford officials said snow clearing efforts continued Monday and Tuesday, but several main thoroughfares, including Asylum Avenue, were substantially restricted by snow that not yet been pushed off the street. People Go Back To Work After the Storm (Ref. The Hartford Courant)

[the_other_guy]

Schools are on a two hour delay. Ice everywhere. that should cement the snow on the ground for a bit

[NEG NAO]

Just now, MJO812 said:

Wow what a turnaround 

13 hours ago, MJO812 said:

 

The two features on this 500 Vort map are still thousands of miles away - the northern stream Vorticity off the Aleutian Islands and the southern system entering the California coast and still need to be fully sampled. These 2 features are forecasted to phase by the Euro and create an intense storm off the mid-Atlantic coast trying to predict precip type and amounts this far out is impossible - also because of all the upward motion created by a phased system they create their own cold air supported by mariginal cold to begin with

 

[MJO812]

6z eps with a shift NW 

[Stormlover74]

3 minutes ago, MJO812 said:

6z eps with a shift NW 

I hate the expression but this really is a thread the needle situation. Too far nw and we rain otherwise its a miss

[bluewave]

Record short term temperature rises in some spots as the cold pattern is finally relaxing.

 

[NEG NAO]

5 minutes ago, Stormlover74 said:

I hate the expression but this really is a thread the needle situation. Too far nw and we rain otherwise its a miss

3 questions need to be answered  1. Does the northern energy phase with the southern system. 2. How much cold air can this system generate along the I -95 Corridor based on the intensity and upward motion in the atmosphere. 3. Track of the storm

 

[MJO812]

4 minutes ago, Stormlover74 said:

I hate the expression but this really is a thread the needle situation. Too far nw and we rain otherwise its a miss

We haven't had these in quite sometime lol

 

[CPcantmeasuresnow]

3 hours ago, PhiEaglesfan712 said:

If the detail about the cold source being minimal is true, especially after the cold streak that just happened, then the winter is just about over. The beginning of March is going to really torch, and by the time we get below average temperatures again (if we even do), it will be too late for snow.

You live in Philadelphia, why do you comment in this forum as we? 

[NEG NAO]

3 minutes ago, CPcantmeasuresnow said:

You live in Philadelphia, why do you comment in this forum as we? 

To stir the pot even more..........I am sure the rest of the warmsters will be out in full force to tell us why it won't and can't snow in mid - Feb

[mriceyman]

You live in Philadelphia, why do you comment in this forum as we? 

I love winter cancellations on feb 11


.

[SnoSki14]

The upcoming system, if it happens, is like a springtime bowling ball. Those commonly favor New England and I strongly believe that's what will happen. 

Their snow climo is still very favorable even in the CC era while ours drops off sharply by mid Feb. 

[MJO812]

Just now, SnoSki14 said:

The upcoming system, if it happens, is like a springtime bowling ball. Those commonly favor New England and I strongly believe that's what will happen. 

Their snow climo is still very favorable even in the CC era while ours drops off sharply by mid Feb. 

We heard you 3 times

[NEG NAO]

3 minutes ago, SnoSki14 said:

The upcoming system, if it happens, is like a springtime bowling ball. Those commonly favor New England and I strongly believe that's what will happen. 

Their snow climo is still very favorable even in the CC era.  

and if you bust ? whats the meteorology behind this statement ?

[TJW014]

21 minutes ago, Stormlover74 said:

I hate the expression but this really is a thread the needle situation. Too far nw and we rain otherwise its a miss

When isn't it a "thread the needle" situation here, and when have they ever worked in our favor?

[Stormlover74]

3 minutes ago, TJW014 said:

When isn't it a "thread the needle" situation here, and when have they ever worked in our favor?

Most of our storms this year weren't. We knew we'd get snow if we got the precip in here because we had cold air and weren't relying on a transfer. I'm not talking KUs here. Those obviously rely on everything coming together perfectly

[NEG NAO]

1 hour ago, Stormlover74 said:

Most of our storms this year weren't. We knew we'd get snow if we got the precip in here because we had cold air and weren't relying on a transfer. I'm not talking KUs here. Those obviously rely on everything coming together perfectly

Only storm that wasn't thread the needle was the December 13th storm. December 26 turned to sleet much earlier than expected in many areas and the January storm ended up being many hours of sleet even with the ground level and 850 temps frigid. When treading the needle have to consider the entire temperature profiles up and down the atmosphere and also the dynamics involved with upward motion affecting the temps at various levels of the atmosphere which some folks here are dismissing already for this upcoming weekend potential if this phases to its full potential

[Stormlover74]

1 minute ago, NEG NAO said:

Only storm that wasn't thread the needle was the December 13th storm. December 26 turned to sleet much earlier than expected in many areas and the January storm ended up being many hours of sleet and the and even with the ground level and 850 temps frigid. When treading the needle have to consider the entire temperature profiles up and down the atmosphere and also the dynamics involved with upward motion affecting the temps at various levels of the atmosphere which some folks he are dismissing already for this upcoming weekend potential if this phases to its full potential

My main concern is it will be in the 40s this weekend and no cold air around. The storm will have to bomb out to have any shot at getting wet snow. Its pretty obviously an interior threat right now with maybe a 20% chance of accumulating snow at the coast

[Brian5671]

7 minutes ago, Stormlover74 said:

My main concern is it will be in the 40s this weekend and no cold air around. The storm will have to bomb out to have any shot at getting wet snow. Its pretty obviously an interior threat right now with maybe a 20% chance of accumulating snow at the coast

This is true-you'll need something that tracks 75 miles off the coast to the BM.   A hugger will not work whereas a week ago it would have mostly worked given the airmass in place.    

[FPizz]

8 minutes ago, Stormlover74 said:

My main concern is it will be in the 40s this weekend and no cold air around. The storm will have to bomb out to have any shot at getting wet snow. Its pretty obviously an interior threat right now with maybe a 20% chance of accumulating snow at the coast

Pretty funny how yesterday afternoon many models had this tracking well south, now it is obviously an interior threat.  

[JustinRP37]

Jesus Christ some people are unbearable lately on here. I get that many are sick of winter but wishing it away isn’t going to work. Why, suddenly, are so many people saying winters end in mid February in our region? That is statistically and categorically false. On a probability standpoint we just past the most snowy portion of winter. It doesn’t completely drop off. Growing up St. Patty’s day really felt like the end of winter with ski areas turning more to slush and yards melting. I’d be very very shocked if we put up a goose egg the rest of winter. 

[Stormlover74]

3 minutes ago, FPizz said:

Pretty funny how yesterday afternoon many models had this tracking well south, now it is obviously an interior threat.  

That's why I said 20% we get something. 50% it still misses completely but its not a situation where being on the northern edge means we get snow

[wthrmn654]

1 hour ago, SnoSki14 said:

There's no cold air, it's going to be rain of it happens 

Hopefully we get the rain, we really need it.

Where does rain go when the ground is over 2 feet thick frozen.... hmm idk no where..... unless your talking about reservoir related...