Once again a month has closed and this extended version of February proved to be a bit unexciting. There was little in the way of winter weather and a typical amount of rain. We did have some record or near record warm temperatures that were scattered around the Metro area during the month. I had three 15 year warmest daily highs in row, the 7th, 8th, and 9th all above 60 degrees. These were three of the six days in excess of 60 degrees.
February is a transitional month that can be winter cold or spring warm. The shortest month of the year here in the 'Couv' is also the month that begins to show some of the fickle nature of springtime, despite being no part of the official spring. February can enjoy some moderately warm weather that is virtually absent in December and January but it can also get downright nasty cold at times. This year was more of the former and none of the latter.
Really we had steady showers and rain throughout the month with a few sunny day breaks. never any real heavy rain nor any snow or cold weather. 20 days with measurable precipitation and 9 days of at least mostly sunshine. 8 days busted out over the top of 50 degrees and every day managed to top out well above 40 degrees. Just three mornings saw sub freezing temps and lowest of those a barely chilly 30 degrees. Overall this past February was rather toasty on temps with nearly plus five degrees for both minimum and maximum temps on average. The average morning low was observed at 39.88 and the average daily high at 54.44.
The coldest morning as mentioned above was a mere 30 on the 23rd and the warmest overnight low came on the 15th with a toasty 49.6. The warmest day came on the 25th with a very nice 64.6 the coolest afternoon was the 1st day of the month when the mercury topped out at 44.4 degrees.
Rainfall was steady and consistent but never really heavy with the most falling on the 4th less than 1/2 and inch at 0.45. There were nine days with 1/4 inch or more.
Looking ahead to the month of March, my guess is that we are done with winter. Long term weather prognosticators with far more experience than I are not suggesting any late season antics from Old Man Winter. Historically with the notable exception of march 2012, I have never received more than a dusting of short lived snow in March. That exception was a chilly month of March with nearly 8 inches of snow scattered through the month. I just don't see that happening this time 'round. Following the trends were have a decent shot at some early warm weather and will likely enjoy our first 70 degree day sometime in the upcoming month. The last time the needle blew past 70 degrees was back on October 16th when we enjoyed a beautiful 74.1 degrees. I'm sure everyone is looking forward to seeing those kinds of days soon :) Spring is quite literally standing at the door.
Soak it up my friends; soak it up.
