New York City is Now on Pace For Its Warmest February Since 1869

As spring weather fills the week ahead, New Yorkers have every right to seasonal confusion: Was that winter? And is it over already?

Tuesday will bring conditions in the high 40s, and that will be the coldest day of the week. Starting Wednesday, temperatures will be more fitting to late April than the second half of February, with highs comfortably in the upper 50s and lower 60s. A rain shower or two will pass through the area Friday night, but the big news this week will be the mild temperatures.

On its current pace, February 2012 will rank as the warmest February in city records since at least 1869. At this rate, the Yankees pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training could have done nearly as well playing at home in the Bronx.

With only a single day clocking in with below normal so far this month (last Sunday, to be exact), it’s no wonder New York City has recorded only a measly 3% of its average February snowfall this year (0.2 inches, to be exact). That slushy fraction makes an even stronger case that the city will finish the winter months with one of its top 10 lowest snowfall totals.

The snow that’s dropped since Halloween could barely fill a Dixie cup, as system after system has been moisture-starved, headed the wrong way or just plain too warm. For those feeling cheated (like me), there’s still a shot that snows could yet come: Hefty snowstorms can continue in the tri-state through mid-March or later.

WSJ