February 2026 Climate Summaries
Mobile Alabama and Pensacola Florida Area
National Weather Service Mobile Alabama
March 3, 2026
February 2026 in Review - As is typical of the cold season, February saw extremes about the climatological means in both temperature metrics, that being daily highs and lows. From an average perspective, temperatures for the month were above normal at Mobile and Pensacola. In fact, Mobile's average monthly high of 70.0° stands in the top ten warmest February's on record tying at number eight with the last occurrence a year ago. To start off the month, it was on the cold side of climatology mostly in low temperatures for the first week from the 1st to the 8th, when daytime minima averaged 11.8° below normal at Mobile and 10.6° below normal at Pensacola. Temperatures moderated and becoming steady state above normal from the 9th to the 21st where highs and lows through the period averaged 10.2° above normal and 9.2° above normal respectively at Mobile. During this stretch three record highs and two record high low temperatures were matched or broken at Mobile. The high on the 20th of 85° tied for the warmest daily temperature in February with the other occurrence, not long ago on February 8th, 2023. For the same period, Pensacola's highs and lows warmed, averaging 7.8° above normal and 9.4° above normal respectively. During the same stretch three record highs and one record high low temperature were matched or broken at Pensacola. The morning temperature at Pensacola on the 20th of 71° tied for the warmest daily low temperature in February with the two other occurrences on the 23rd and 28th of 2023. A notable, but brief cold spell following the passage of a strong cold front the evening of the 21st sent highs and lows diving. The coldest mornings the latter half of the month were the 23rd and 24th where lows these two mornings averaged 16.0° below normal at Mobile and 17.0° below normal. Temperatures rebounded to close out the month.
Rainfall continues to be in short supply with February's monthly rainfall in deficit by nearly three inches at Mobile. In fact, February 2026 is seventh driest on record at Mobile. Rainfall in Pensacola was just short of two inches of normal. Drought has worsened over the central Gulf coast.
Mobile Alabama Area [Climate Normal Period 1991-2020, Climate Record Period 1872 to Present]- The average monthly high of 70.0° was 4.4° above normal and tying for 8th warmest monthly average February high on record with last occurrence a year ago. The average monthly low was 45.1° or 0.7° above normal. The average monthly temperature of 57.5° was 2.5° above normal. The highest temperature for the month, 85°, occurred on the 20th and 18° above normal for the date. This has also tied for warmest daily February temperature since 1872, matching the other occurrence on the 28th in 2023. The lowest temperature for the month plummeted to 18° on day one, 24° below normal for the date. Mobile saw five record temperatures for the month of February. (Fig. A) shows a graphical representation of how the Mobile area temperatures compared to the seasonal normal daily highs and lows, which are shown by the colored dashed lines. Bar graphs reflecting the daily high/low temperature departures from normal are provided in the table below (Figs. B and C). The rain gauge collected a seventh driest 1.49" (Fig. D), or 2.98" below normal. Accumulated rainfall to date, 3.04" indicates a deficit now by over seven inches against what we would normally expect this time of year (Fig. E). This is nearly a third of an inch above the driest two-month period on record which was 2.72" from 1954.
February Top Records for the Month During the Period of Record for the Mobile Area:
Click on the Mobile Alabama area climate graphics below to expand:
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Pensacola Florida Area [Climate Normal Period 1991-2020, Climate Record Period 1879 to Present] - The average monthly high of 68.5° was 2.1° above normal. The average monthly low was 47.8° or 0.6° above normal. The average monthly temperature of 58.2° was 1.4° above normal. The highest temperature for the month, 83°, occurred on the 21st and was 15° above normal for the date. The lowest temperature for the month sank to 21° on day one, 24° below normal for the date. Pensacola saw four record temperatures for the month of February. (Fig. F) shows a graphical representation of how the Pensacola area temperatures compared to the seasonal normal daily highs and lows, which are shown by the colored dashed lines. (Figs. G and H) shows the daily high/low temperature departures from normal. The rain gauge collected over three inches at 3.26" (Fig. I), 1.51" below the monthly normal. Accumulated rainfall to date indicates a deficit over three inches compared to normal (Fig. J).
February Top Records for the Month During the Period of Record for the Pensacola Area:
Click on the Pensacola Florida area climate graphics below to expand:
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Additional February 2026 Climatology and Topics
Outside of a small band of decent monthly precipitation of 4 to 8 inches from Navarre to across central Okaloosa County Florida, the central Gulf coast was parched and seeing significant rainfall deficits. Fig. K shows the areal monthly rainfall total, Fig. L shows the areal rainfall departures from normal and Fig. M, the areal percent of normal rainfall. With the lack of rainfall, drought intensity continues to have a firm grip over the deep south (Fig. N). In fact, over 87% of the state of Florida is experiencing severe drought with over 67% of the state in extreme drought intensity.
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March 2026 Climatology, Seasonal Climatology, and Outlooks:
As we begin to enter spring, the latest outlook for March favors temperatures likely above normal over the southeast quarter of the country. The precipitation outlook does not favor any relief for drought stricken Florida. We can still see bouts of cold weather which can be detrimental to young garden vegetable seedlings/plantings during the month of March. Be prepared to take quick action to protect plants in the event of cold weather advisories or if frost is in the forecast.
Click on the snap shots below to expand:
 March Normals |
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Additional Climate Links:
The National Weather Service Mobile Alabama's Climate and Past Weather page provides climate data at your fingertips for many observation points in the local forecast area by accessing the NOWData tab as well as many other climate resources. The Climate Prediction Center Link provides short and longer range climatic outlooks and education about the larger scale global circulations that impact temperatures and weather. With the large agriculture and farming presence along the central Gulf coast, the Drought Monitor link provides updates on drought trends and impacts. Another very helpful resource is the Community Collaborative Rain Hail and Snow (CoCoRaHS) network, which is a large group of volunteers working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail, and snow). The aim of CoCoRaHS is to provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education and research applications. You can be a part of the CoCoRaHS team by becoming a volunteer rainfall observer.
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