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Severe Thunderstorms in the Central Plains; Heavy Rainfall in the Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys; Critical Fire Weather in the Southwest

Scattered severe storms capable of large to very large hail, severe wind gusts, and a few tornadoes will be possible across the central Plains. Heavy rain will pose a flash flood threat across portions of the Mississippi Valley into the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys. Hot, dry and windy conditions will continue to bring a critical fire weather threat from the Southwest into the Great Basin. Read More >

 

February Climate Facts   February Climate Facts   Warm February Explained
Daily, February, and Winter Record Highs   Consecutive Day Streaks of 50s and 60s   The "Why" Behind the Warmth

 

 
...Climate Data Reference for the Current Warmth...

DAILY HIGH TEMPERATURE RECORDS

Chicago:                         Rockford:
      Record:    Old:            High:      Old:
2/17: 67 (2017)  60 (1880)       66 (2017)  59 (1981) 
2/18: 70 (2017)  62 (1981)       68 (2017)  58 (1981)
2/19: 69 (2017)  65 (1930)       67 (2017)  63 (1930)
2/20: 70 (2017)  64 (1930)       69 (2017)  61 (1983) 
2/21: 67 (1930)                  67 (2017)  64 (1930)
2/22: 68 (2017)  68 (1922)       70 (2017)  61 (1922)  


CONSECUTIVE DAYS OF 60+ DEGREES

Chicago:                         Rockford:
Longest in February              Longest in February
6 days: 2/17-22/2017             6 days: 2/17-22/2017
4 days: 2/24-27/1976             3 days: 2/23-25/1930
                                         2/19-21/1930

Longest in Meteorological Winter
6 days: 2/17-22/2017             6 days: 2/17-22/2017
        12/2-6/1998              3 days: 2/23-25/1930
                                         2/19-21/1930

CONSECUTIVE DAYS OF 50+ DEGREES

Chicago:                         Rockford:
Longest in February              Longest in February
8 days: 2/22-29/2000             8 days: 2/22-29/2000
        2/18-25/1930                     2/18-25/1930
7 days: 2/17-23/2017             7 days: 2/17-23/2017
        2/22-28/1998             6 days: 2/23-28/1998
6 days: 2/24-29/1976                     2/16-20/1981  
        2/11-16/1882                     2/25-29/1932                                         

Longest in Meteorological Winter
12 days: 12/14-25/1877           8 days: 2/22-29/2000
                                         12/2-10/1946
                                         2/18-25/1930   

$$

NWS Chicago