In a “prediction” that mirrored last year, Punxsutawney Phil, the famous furry forecaster, saw his shadow in early February and as the legend goes, supposedly six more weeks of winter for the U.S. Unfortunately for Phil, his forecast has not been supported by the climate record, so far.
A warmer-than-average February in many parts of the country helped boost winter temperatures across much of the West and along the East Coast, bringing spring and even summer-like conditions in some spots. This contrasted with cooler-than-average conditions in the Northern High and Central Plains.
Here’s how February and meteorological winter 2018 fared in terms of the climate record:
The average temperature during meteorological winter for the contiguous U.S. was 34.0 degrees F, 1.7 degrees above average, ranking it among the warmest third in the 124-year record, according to scientists from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information. Much of the East Coast and West had a warmer-than-average winter.
Continue reading at NOAA.
Image via NOAA.