February followed the lead of the first two months of the winter season, racking up the Northeast's 3rd warmest February since records began in 1895. The monthly average temperature of 31.9 degrees was 7.6 degrees warmer than the normal of 24.3 degrees. The only two Februarys that were warmer were 1954 and 1984 (neither of which were El Niño years). It was the warmest February on record in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.
Monthly Temperature Departure Map
The winter season (December through February) was also the 3rd warmest on record in the Northeast. The average temperature of 30.4 degrees was 5.9 degrees warmer than normal. The two winters that were warmer were 1948-49 with an only slightly warmer average of 30.5 degrees and 1931-32 with a winter average of 32 degrees. There was not an El Niño in progress in either of these winters. This was the warmest winter in 103 years in Connecticut and the second warmest in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. New York and New Hampshire marked their third warmest winters on record this year.
February was the second consecutive wetter than normal month in the Northeast. The February precipitation total of 3.35 inches represented 125% of normal and was the wettest February since 1984. Rhode Island, with 157% of normal, was the wettest state in the twelve-state region. New Hampshire, meanwhile, was the only state to report a slight monthly deficit with 95% of normal. This precipitation surplus did not necessarily translate to excessive amounts of snow, however. Buffalo, NY had only 1.8 inches of snow this month, making it their least snowiest February on record. Washington, DC did not receive any measurable snow during February for only the 16th time in the last 128 years.
Monthly Percent of Normal Precipitation Map
Winter precipitation ranged from 98% of normal in Connecticut to 131% of normal in New York. The Northeast regional average of 10.91 inches was 123% of normal and the 17th wettest winter on record.
Monthly Summary of State Temperature and Precipitation Averages.
Winter Summary of State Temperature and Precipitation Averages.
| City | New | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo, NY | 34.1 | 33.8 in 1984 |
| Allentown, PA | 38.6 | 36.8 in 1954 |
| Atlantic City Marina, NJ | 43.0 | 42.0 in 1976 |
| Newark, NJ (tie) | 40.8 | 40.8 in 1984 |
| Williamsport, PA | 37.0 | 36.1 in 1954 |
| City | New | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Portland, ME | 29.2 | 29.0 in 1990-91 |
| Binghamton, NY | 29.9 | 29.0 in 1982-83 |
| City | New | Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo, NY | 1.8 | 2.2 in 1890 |
| Washington, DC (tie) | 0.0 | 15 other years |
| City | Date | New | Previous |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binghamton, NY | 10th | 50 | 49 in 1955 |
| Bridgeport, CT | 12th | 52 | 48 in 1984 |
| Burlington, VT (tie) | 28th | 49 | 49 in 1954 |
| St. Johnsbury, VT (tie) | 28th | 54 | 54 in 1954 |
| City | Date | New | Previous |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Nat'l, DC | 4th | 2.01 | 1.61 in 1932 |
| Baltimore, MD | 4th | 1.65 | 1.48 in 1920 |
| Williamsport, PA | 5th | 0.68 | 0.36 in 1997 |
| Buffalo, NY | 17th | 1.18 | 1.10 in 1958 |
| Central Park, NY | 17th | 1.27 | 1.05 in 1884 |
| Bridgeport, CT | 18th | 1.03 | 0.95 in 1960 |
| Williamsport, PA | 18th | 1.49 | 0.70 in 1956 |
| Baltimore, MD | 23rd | 1.56 | 1.21 in 1987 |
| City | Description |
|---|---|
| Williamsport, PA | 3rd wettest February on record |
| Syracuse, NY | 3rd wettest winter on record |
| Rochester, NY | 3rd warmest February on record |
| Philadelphia, PA | 3rd warmest February on record |
| Atlantic City, NJ | 3rd warmest February on record |
| Wilmington, DE | 3rd warmest February on record |
| Buffalo, NY | 2nd warmest winter on record |
| Wilkes Barre/Scranton, PA | 3rd warmest winter of record |
| Philadelphia, PA | 3rd warmest winter on record |
| Portland, ME | 1st winter in 60 years temperature didn't drop to 0° F |
