February 2026 OBS & Discussion

[Cobalt]

12 minutes ago, donsutherland1 said:

February 2026 will likely be the coldest La Niña February since February 1934.

Wow.

[Stormlover74]

Got out to western NJ and very little snow and almost none once into PA

[SACRUS]

 

Records:

Highs:

EWR: 68 (2002)
NYC: 65 (1890)
LGA: 62 (1876)
JFK: 60 (1996)

Lows:

EWR: 8 (1990)
NYC: 7 (1990)
LGA: 9 (1990)
JFK: 9 (1990)


Historical:

 

1910 - Parts of Washington State were in the midst of a storm which produced 129 inches of snow at Laconia between the 24th and the 26th, a single storm record for the state. A series of storms, which began on the 23rd, led to a deadly avalanche on the first of March. By late on the 28th, the snow had changed to rain, setting the stage for disaster. (The Weather Channel)

1966: A big snowstorm buried parts of the East Coast with up to 32 inches across western Maine. 19 inches fell at Glen Falls, PA. Boston, MA received 11 inches and Hartford, CT received a foot. (Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1969: The "100 hour snowstorm" was in full swing across the Boston area and the rest of New England as well. By the time snow ended on the 28th, Boston recorded 26.3 inches of new snow. Pinkham Notch, NH was buried under and incredible 77 inches and Long Falls Dam, Maine checked in with 56 inches. Both Portsmouth, NH and Portland, ME set new single storm snowfall records with 33.8 inches and 26.9 inches, respectively. Rockport, MA measured an impressive 39 inches. (Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1970: The minimum temperature for the date is 12 °F in Washington, DC. (Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

 

1972 - The Buffalo Creek disaster occurred in the Buffalo Creek Hollow of Logan County in West Virginia. A coal slag dam on the Middle Fork of Buffalo Creek burst sending a fifty foot wall of water down a narrow valley killing 125 persons and causing 51 million dollars damage. Three days of rain atop a six inches snow cover prompted the dam break. (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)

1987 - A slow moving storm in the southwestern U.S. spread heavy snow from the southern and central Rockies into the Central High Plains Region. Totals in Colorado ranged up to 62 inches at Purgatory. Colorado Springs CO reported a February record of 14.8 inches of snow in 24 hours. Lander WY received four inches in one hour, 13 inches in seven hours, and a record storm total of 26 inches. High winds created near blizzard conditions at Colorado Springs. Fairplay CO reported 43 inches of snow, with drifts ten feet high. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1988 - Eight cities in the central and western U.S. reported new record high temperatures for the date, including Lamoni IA with a reading of 67 degrees. Temperatures in North Dakota were as warm as those in Florida. (The National Weather Summary)

1989 - An upper level weather disturbance brought snow to parts of the central U.S. which just one day earlier were enjoying temperatures in the 60s. Snowfall totals in Missouri ranged up to nine inches at Rolla. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1990 - Unseasonably cold weather followed in the wake of the winter storm in the northeastern U.S. Ten cities reported record low temperatures for the date, including Syracuse NY with a reading of 10 degrees below zero. Freezing temperatures in southeastern Virginia caused considerable damage to plants and fruit trees. The barometric pressure reading of 30.88 inches at Wilmington NC was February record for that location. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

2004 - A major snowstorm dumps up to 20 inches of snow in the Charlotte metropolitan area. Charlotte's third largest snowstorm on record accumulates 11.6 inches at the airport.

 

[WeatherGeek2025]

@SACRUSwhat was today's split?

[Cfa]

It’s crazy how fast the snow is being obliterated vs a few weeks ago. Yesterday morning’s snow was basically gone by that afternoon + some of the blizzard snow that was underneath it. Today the “snowpack” looks about 50-60% of what it was on Monday, outside of the ginormous piles.

[Cobalt]

2 hours ago, SACRUS said:

 

Lows:

EWR: 8 (1990)
NYC: 7 (1990)
LGA: 9 (1990)
JFK: 9 (1990)

 

Very surprised at these record lows coming at the tail end of two absolutely torcherrific months. 

[psv88]

48 today. Drip drip drip 

[donsutherland1]

It has been a snowy winter in the northern Mid-Atlantic and southern New England areas. Already, Islip, JFK Airport, and Providence have clinched top 10 seasonal snowfall figures.

 

[SACRUS]

Today's split

EWR: 48 /32 (+2)
NYC: 49/ 38 (+7)

[coastalplainsnowman]

4 hours ago, SACRUS said:

 

Records:

Highs:

EWR: 68 (2002)
NYC: 65 (1890)
LGA: 62 (1876)
JFK: 60 (1996)

Lows:

EWR: 8 (1990)
NYC: 7 (1990)
LGA: 9 (1990)
JFK: 9 (1990)


Historical:

 

1910 - Parts of Washington State were in the midst of a storm which produced 129 inches of snow at Laconia between the 24th and the 26th, a single storm record for the state. A series of storms, which began on the 23rd, led to a deadly avalanche on the first of March. By late on the 28th, the snow had changed to rain, setting the stage for disaster. (The Weather Channel)

1966: A big snowstorm buried parts of the East Coast with up to 32 inches across western Maine. 19 inches fell at Glen Falls, PA. Boston, MA received 11 inches and Hartford, CT received a foot. (Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1969: The "100 hour snowstorm" was in full swing across the Boston area and the rest of New England as well. By the time snow ended on the 28th, Boston recorded 26.3 inches of new snow. Pinkham Notch, NH was buried under and incredible 77 inches and Long Falls Dam, Maine checked in with 56 inches. Both Portsmouth, NH and Portland, ME set new single storm snowfall records with 33.8 inches and 26.9 inches, respectively. Rockport, MA measured an impressive 39 inches. (Ref. Wilson Wx. History)

1970: The minimum temperature for the date is 12 °F in Washington, DC. (Ref. Washington Weather Records - KDCA)

 

1972 - The Buffalo Creek disaster occurred in the Buffalo Creek Hollow of Logan County in West Virginia. A coal slag dam on the Middle Fork of Buffalo Creek burst sending a fifty foot wall of water down a narrow valley killing 125 persons and causing 51 million dollars damage. Three days of rain atop a six inches snow cover prompted the dam break. (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)

1987 - A slow moving storm in the southwestern U.S. spread heavy snow from the southern and central Rockies into the Central High Plains Region. Totals in Colorado ranged up to 62 inches at Purgatory. Colorado Springs CO reported a February record of 14.8 inches of snow in 24 hours. Lander WY received four inches in one hour, 13 inches in seven hours, and a record storm total of 26 inches. High winds created near blizzard conditions at Colorado Springs. Fairplay CO reported 43 inches of snow, with drifts ten feet high. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1988 - Eight cities in the central and western U.S. reported new record high temperatures for the date, including Lamoni IA with a reading of 67 degrees. Temperatures in North Dakota were as warm as those in Florida. (The National Weather Summary)

1989 - An upper level weather disturbance brought snow to parts of the central U.S. which just one day earlier were enjoying temperatures in the 60s. Snowfall totals in Missouri ranged up to nine inches at Rolla. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1990 - Unseasonably cold weather followed in the wake of the winter storm in the northeastern U.S. Ten cities reported record low temperatures for the date, including Syracuse NY with a reading of 10 degrees below zero. Freezing temperatures in southeastern Virginia caused considerable damage to plants and fruit trees. The barometric pressure reading of 30.88 inches at Wilmington NC was February record for that location. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

2004 - A major snowstorm dumps up to 20 inches of snow in the Charlotte metropolitan area. Charlotte's third largest snowstorm on record accumulates 11.6 inches at the airport.

 

The 1996 record high of 60 is interesting because depending on one’s location up to another two feet of snow was yet to fall before that winter was done.

The 1990 record lows are interesting because that was in that otherwise terribly warm January / February in a winter that turned on a dime for the worst after a frigid December.

[SACRUS]

Newark:


1 - 1995–1996 - 78.4
2 - 1960–1961 - 73.5
3 - 1867–1868 - 72.8
4 - 1872–1873 - 71.7
5 - 1906–1907 - 70.2
6 - 2010–2011 - 68.2
7 - 1977–1978 - 64.9
8 - 1993–1994 - 64.5
9 - 1866–1867 - 63.5
10 - 1947–1948 - 61.6
11 - 2013–2014 - 61.1
12 - 1919–1920 - 60.6
13 - 1957–1958 - 58.3
14 - 1855–1856 - 57.8
15 - 1922–1923 - 57.4
16 - 1966–1967 - 57.3
17 - 1874–1875 - 56.5
18 - 1915–1916 - 56.2
19 - 1904–1905 - 55.1
20 - 2025–2026 - 54.4
21 - 2002–2003 - 53.1
22 - 1892–1893 - 52.8
23 - 1856–1857 - 52.0
24 - 1916–1917 - 50.1
25 - 1861–1862 - 50.1

[ForestHillWx]

4 hours ago, Stormlover74 said:

Got out to western NJ and very little snow and almost none once into PA

My part of western NJ is completely covered; albeit less of a pack, maybe 4”-6” at present. 

[SACRUS]

Laguardia, NY

 

Year	Rank	Snow (inches)
1995–1996	1	77.9
1947–1948	2	63.6
1993–1994	3	58.5
1960–1961	4	56.5
2014–2015	5	53.8
2013–2014	6	52.4
2010–2011	7	51.6
1957–1958	8	51.5
2002–2003	9	51.0
1948–1949	10	46.7
2003–2004	11	44.1
1977–1978	12	43.5
2025–2026	13	43.4
1966–1967	13	43.4
2000–2001	15	42.2
2009–2010	16	41.3
2004–2005	17	40.2
2017–2018	18	38.4
2005–2006	19	37.5
2015–2016	20	36.2

[SACRUS]

 

JFK

 

Year	Rank	Snow (inches)
1995–1996	1	69.0
1960–1961	2	58.5
2002–2003	3	56.2
1977–1978	4	48.5
2009–2010	5	47.2
1966–1967	6	47.0
2013–2014	7	45.6
1993–1994	8	45.2
1948–1949	9	44.5
2025–2026	10	44.2
2014–2015	10	44.2
2010–2011	12	42.0
2015–2016	13	41.4
2003–2004	14	37.6
2004–2005	15	36.8
2017–2018	16	35.5
2020–2021	17	34.5
1963–1964	18	34.4
1959–1960	19	34.2
2000–2001	20	33.8

[bluewave]

This winter is a great example of the new all or nothing snowfall pattern since 1993-1994. A location like Islip is a prime example of this new snowfall regime.

33 out of the last 34 snowfall seasons featured snowfall over 30” or under 15”. This is in stark contrast to 1963-1964 to 1992-1993 when only 12 out of 30 seasons fell in this range. 

So a seasonal forecast calling for near average or mid-range snowfall has the lowest probability of being correct since 1993-1994.
 

Monthly Total Snowfall for ISLIP-LI MACARTHUR AP, NY
Click column heading to sort ascending, click again to sort descending.

Mean	0.0	0.4	5.4	10.2	10.5	5.3	0.7	32.3
2025-2026	0.0	T	12.5	14.9	34.2	M	M	61.6
2024-2025	0.0	0.0	2.1	2.7	6.9	0.0	0.0	11.7
2023-2024	0.0	T	T	3.1	7.8	0.0	0.0	10.9
2022-2023	0.0	0.0	0.4	T	3.0	1.6	0.0	5.0
2021-2022	0.0	T	0.3	31.8	3.3	1.6	0.0	37.0
2020-2021	T	0.0	7.5	1.1	24.9	T	T	33.5
2019-2020	0.0	0.1	4.2	2.5	0.0	T	T	6.8
2018-2019	0.0	4.3	T	0.9	3.5	4.1	T	12.8
2017-2018	0.0	T	6.0	22.0	1.4	31.9	4.6	65.9
2016-2017	T	T	3.2	14.0	14.7	7.4	T	39.3
2015-2016	0.0	0.0	T	24.8	13.2	3.2	0.2	41.4
2014-2015	0.0	T	0.4	30.2	13.4	19.7	0.0	63.7
2013-2014	0.0	0.3	8.1	25.2	24.5	5.4	0.2	63.7
2012-2013	0.0	4.2	0.6	3.3	31.4	7.4	0.0	46.9
2011-2012	0.3	0.0	T	3.8	0.6	T	0.0	4.7
2010-2011	0.0	T	14.9	34.4	3.9	2.1	T	55.3
2009-2010	0.0	0.0	25.3	6.4	21.7	0.4	0.0	53.8
2008-2009	0.0	T	10.4	8.9	3.3	13.6	T	36.2
2007-2008	0.0	0.0	2.6	0.8	7.3	T	0.0	10.7
2006-2007	0.0	T	0.0	1.0	4.2	3.8	T	9.0
2005-2006	0.0	0.5	7.6	4.7	19.9	3.2	0.1	36.0
2004-2005	0.0	T	7.0	21.5	17.0	13.3	0.0	58.8
2003-2004	0.0	0.0	15.5	19.1	1.1	5.7	0.0	41.4
2002-2003	0.0	1.0	16.0	2.6	26.3	3.7	5.0	54.6
2001-2002	0.0	0.0	0.0	3.7	T	T	0.0	3.7
2000-2001	T	0.0	10.8	9.2	8.6	10.3	T	38.9
1999-2000	0.0	T	0.4	5.8	2.6	0.2	T	9.0
1998-1999	0.0	0.0	3.0	4.5	2.8	9.1	T	19.4
1997-1998	0.0	T	1.0	T	T	1.6	T	2.6
1996-1997	0.0	T	1.2	3.3	2.2	3.7	2.0	12.4
1995-1996	0.0	3.0	13.3	20.2	19.0	12.0	9.6	77.1
1994-1995	0.0	T	T	T	5.1	T	0.0	5.1
1993-1994	0.0	T	3.3	8.8	20.0	5.0	0.0	37.1

 

Monthly Total Snowfall for ISLIP-LI MACARTHUR AP, NY
Click column heading to sort ascending, click again to sort descending.

Mean	T	0.6	3.4	8.1	8.6	4.3	0.8	25.8
1992-1993	0.0	0.0	2.1	2.3	10.9	13.3	0.0	28.6
1991-1992	0.0	0.0	2.0	2.3	1.5	7.6	T	13.4
1990-1991	0.0	0.0	4.0	3.6	4.3	1.9	0.0	13.8
1989-1990	0.0	7.6	0.2	2.0	2.0	4.2	3.0	19.0
1988-1989	0.0	0.0	10.4	4.4	1.2	3.0	T	19.0
1987-1988	0.0	1.1	4.2	10.7	0.1	3.4	0.0	19.5
1986-1987	0.0	T	3.4	8.8	8.6	1.7	0.0	22.5
1985-1986	0.0	T	2.1	2.6	10.4	0.1	T	15.2
1984-1985	0.0	T	4.7	13.5	8.7	T	T	26.9
1983-1984	0.0	T	2.6	11.9	T	13.0	0.0	27.5
1982-1983	0.0	0.0	3.2	1.5	26.1	T	1.1	31.9
1981-1982	0.0	0.0	1.0	18.1	0.3	T	16.0	35.4
1980-1981	0.0	T	0.5	13.2	T	7.1	0.0	20.8
1979-1980	T	0.0	1.5	4.0	1.5	2.0	0.0	9.0
1978-1979	0.0	4.0	T	6.9	17.2	T	T	28.1
1977-1978	0.0	0.8	0.2	27.7	28.9	10.4	T	68.0
1976-1977	0.0	T	6.2	11.2	6.6	4.0	0.0	28.0
1975-1976	0.0	T	11.0	7.8	7.5	3.9	0.0	30.2
1974-1975	0.0	0.5	T	1.8	11.0	1.2	T	14.5
1973-1974	0.0	0.0	T	9.0	17.0	8.0	T	34.0
1972-1973	T	0.0	T	1.5	3.0	T	T	4.5
1971-1972	0.0	T	T	2.1	12.5	1.0	T	15.6
1970-1971	0.0	0.0	2.1	11.3	2.0	1.0	2.5	18.9
1969-1970	0.0	T	12.0	7.0	7.0	1.0	T	27.0
1968-1969	0.0	T	3.0	T	19.5	11.0	0.0	33.5
1967-1968	0.0	2.5	5.0	9.1	3.0	3.0	0.0	22.6
1966-1967	0.0	0.0	8.6	1.0	19.5	21.7	T	50.8
1965-1966	0.0	0.0	T	12.1	3.6	0.0	0.0	15.7
1964-1965	0.0	0.0	2.0	24.6	7.4	4.5	1.0	39.5
1963-1964	0.0	T	11.0	11.7	16.0	1.0	0.0	39.7

[WeatherGeek2025]

[SACRUS]

Enjoy the sun today and tomorrow may not see much in the next 7 days.  34 / 20 here on the way to mid upper 40s and the warm spots to low-mid 50s tomorrow (warmest since Jan 10 or 14th).  The meltoff continues.  Whatever snow / mix (sleet) we are able to get is quickly replaced by rains.  Loosk to stay in near normal overall this week and be wetter.  Moderation to and perhaps much above avg in the March 8 - 13 period.

 

 

[SACRUS]

Records:
 

Highs:

EWR: 74 (1997)
NYC: 72 (1997)
LGA: 73 (1997)
JFK: 71 (1997)


Lows:

EWR: 7 (1934)
NYC: 5 (1900)
LGA: 9 (1950)
JFK: 9 (1950)

 

Historical:

 

1717 - What was perhaps the greatest snow in New England history commenced on this date. During a ten day period a series of four snowstorms dumped three feet of snow upon Boston, and the city was snowbound for two weeks. Up to six feet of snow was reported farther to the north, and drifts covered many one story homes. (David Ludlum)

1969 - A record snowstorm in Maine came to an end. Two to four feet of snow buried southern and central Maine, with a state record of 57 inches reported at West Forks. Drifts covered many single story homes, and the weight of the snow collapsed many roofs. Two to four feet of snow also buried northeastern Vermont and northeastern Massachusetts. In New Hampshire, Mount Washington NH reported 97.8 inches of snow, a record storm total for New England. (24th-28th) (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)

1986: It was 99 degrees in Palm Springs, California, the highest temperature on record for February. Palm Springs also reached 99 degrees on February 26, 1986.

1987 - A storm spread heavy snow into the Central High Plains Region, and produced severe thunderstorms in the Southern Plains. Snowfall totals in western Nebraska ranged up to 19 inches at Sydney. Severe thunderstorms in Oklahoma produced baseball size hail at Stringtown and Atoka. A storm in the eastern U.S. produced heavy rain over the Carolinas and heavy snow in the southern Appalachians and piedmont region. Five inches of rain left four feet of water in the streets of Greenville SC. Snowfall totals in southwestern Virginia ranged up to 20 inches. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1988 - Thunderstorms along a cold front produced heavy rain in southern California, with up to 2.52 inches reported in Ventura County. Strong winds accompanying the rain gusted to 55 mph in the Tehachapi Mountains. Rapid City SD established a February record with an afternoon high of 75 degrees. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1989 - Rain and snow prevailed in the southeastern U.S. Up to eight inches of snow blanketed north central Tennessee, and snowfall totals in western North Carolina ranged up to 14 inches at Mount Mitchell. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1990 - A winter storm produced heavy snow in southeastern Colorado, with 12 inches reported at Lamar. The same storm produced severe thunderstorms over the Southern High Plains, with wind gusts to 93 mph reported at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Low pressure brought high winds to the Prince William Sound area of Alaska. Big River Lakes reported wind gusts to 92 mph. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

2010 - A weak EF0 tornado causes no damage as it moved across California's southern San Joaquin Valley. However it is the only tornado reported in the United States during the month. According to the Storm Prediction Center only five months since 1950 have lacked a tornado report. The Weather Doctor

[psv88]

19 this am

[Freezing Drizzle]

12 hours ago, SACRUS said:

Newark:


1 - 1995–1996 - 78.4
2 - 1960–1961 - 73.5
3 - 1867–1868 - 72.8
4 - 1872–1873 - 71.7
5 - 1906–1907 - 70.2
6 - 2010–2011 - 68.2
7 - 1977–1978 - 64.9
8 - 1993–1994 - 64.5
9 - 1866–1867 - 63.5
10 - 1947–1948 - 61.6
11 - 2013–2014 - 61.1
12 - 1919–1920 - 60.6
13 - 1957–1958 - 58.3
14 - 1855–1856 - 57.8
15 - 1922–1923 - 57.4
16 - 1966–1967 - 57.3
17 - 1874–1875 - 56.5
18 - 1915–1916 - 56.2
19 - 1904–1905 - 55.1
20 - 2025–2026 - 54.4
21 - 2002–2003 - 53.1
22 - 1892–1893 - 52.8
23 - 1856–1857 - 52.0
24 - 1916–1917 - 50.1
25 - 1861–1862 - 50.1

Great data list, @SACRUS
Were the measurements done somewhere in Newark-proper before the airport was established? 
Does the airport location goes back to 1931?