Cities Experienced Unusually High Temperatures of 97-100 Degrees in February

In February 2026, many U.S. cities saw unprecedented temperatures reaching 97-100F, breaking historical records. These unusually high readings, observed from the Southeast to the Rockies, signal a growing trend of warmer winters across the nation, far surpassing traditional seasonal norms.

February 2026 brought unprecedented warmth to numerous locations across the United States, marking a significant departure from historical seasonal norms. Traditionally, February is one of the coldest months in the country, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reporting an average temperature of 33.8°F across the contiguous 48 states. Only December and January are typically colder. Even in southern and southeastern regions, February average temperatures have historically remained below 50°F. Recent data, however, shows a clear trend of rising February temperatures in the U.S., with the period from 2023 through 2025 already exceeding 20th-century averages by at least one degree.

Preliminary reports for February 2026 indicate this warming trend has continued, with extreme temperature readings recorded across multiple regions. NOAA data shows that during February 2026, there were 134 instances where local temperatures surpassed all-time monthly highs. These record-breaking temperatures were observed from the Southeast to the Rockies and the Western United States, with some locations reaching or exceeding 100°F, an unusually high figure for a winter month in the Northern Hemisphere.

Highest February Temperatures in the U.S. in 2026

Using NOAA’s Daily Weather Records program, Climate Crisis 247 identified the hottest locations based on all-time February highs, local historical averages, and the operational duration of each station. Local temperature norms were calculated from 30-year averages spanning 1991 to 2020. The top locations with February temperatures exceeding 97°F include:

• Falcon Dam Weather Station, Starr County, Texas
  Highest February temperature: 106°F (Feb. 27, 2026)
  Previous record: 103°F (Feb. 24, 2017)
  Local norms: 77.1°F daily high, 64.9°F daily average
  Station operation: 64 years
• Cotulla La Salle Co. Airport Weather Station, La Salle County, Texas
  Highest February temperature: 103°F (Feb. 26, 2026)
  Previous record: 100°F (Feb. 23, 2017)
  Local norms: 73.6°F daily high, 60.9°F daily average
  Station operation: 76 years
• Freer Weather Station, Duval County, Texas
  Highest February temperature: 103°F (Feb. 27, 2026)
  Previous record: 101°F (Feb. 22, 1996)
  Local norms: 71.2°F daily high, 59.6°F daily average
  Station operation: 63 years
• Tacna 3 NE Weather Station, Yuma County, Arizona
  Highest February temperature: 100°F (Feb. 28, 2026)
  Previous record: 97°F (Feb. 27, 2026)
  Local norms: 74.6°F daily high, 57.9°F daily average
  Station operation: 57 years
• Kingsville Weather Station, Kleberg County, Texas
  Highest February temperature: 100°F (Feb. 27, 2026)
  Previous record: 98°F (Feb. 19, 1986)
  Local norms: 72.4°F daily high, 61.8°F daily average
  Station operation: 100 years
• Choke Canyon Dam Weather Station, Live Oak County, Texas
  Highest February temperature: 100°F (Feb. 27, 2026)
  Previous record: 99°F (Feb. 22, 1996)
  Local norms: 68.4°F daily high, 57.6°F daily average
  Station operation: 42 years
• El Centro 2 SSW Weather Station, Imperial County, California
  Highest February temperature: 99°F (Feb. 28, 2026)
  Previous record: 96°F (Feb. 27, 2026)
  Local norms: 74.0°F daily high, 60.3°F daily average
  Station operation: 94 years
• Hondo Municipal Airport Weather Station, Medina County, Texas
  Highest February temperature: 99°F (Feb. 26, 2026)
  Previous record: 98°F (Feb. 21, 1996)
  Local norms: 69.7°F daily high, 56.6°F daily average
  Station operation: 51 years
• Borrego Desert Park Weather Station, San Diego County, California
  Highest February temperature: 98°F (Feb. 28, 2026)
  Previous record: 95°F (Feb. 27, 2026)
  Local norms: 72.3°F daily high, 59.8°F daily average
  Station operation: 58 years
• Imperial Co. Airport Weather Station, Imperial County, California
  Highest February temperature: 97°F (Feb. 28, 2026)
  Previous record: 96°F (Feb. 27, 2026)
  Local norms: 73.7°F daily high, 59.4°F daily average
  Station operation: 64 years

Analysis and Observations

The February 2026 heatwave included several stations, particularly in South Texas, recording temperatures exceeding 105°F, comparable to the hottest regions globally, including parts of Africa, Australia, and Latin America on the same day. These extreme readings demonstrate a growing deviation from historical seasonal expectations and highlight the increasing frequency of unusually high winter temperatures in the United States. The consistent occurrence of record-breaking February temperatures across multiple states suggests ongoing shifts in climatic patterns, with winter heat extremes becoming increasingly common.

Sources:

• US hottest winter temperature record in Texas January‑February 2026
• 106°F in Texas may be new record for US winter
• Rio Grande Valley ties winter heat record US
• These Cities Had 97 To 100 Degree Temperatures In February

Author: Logan Reeves
Logan Reeves is a sports analyst and journalist. He writes match reviews, conducts athlete interviews, and produces data-driven predictions.