Assessing the Global Temperature and Precipitation Analysis in February 2026

February Highlights:

• Temperatures were above average over much of the globe, resulting in the fifth-warmest February on record.
• The Northern Hemisphere experienced its third-lowest February snow cover extent.
• Arctic sea ice extent ranked third lowest on record for February. 
• Six named tropical storms occurred across the globe in February, which was near average.

Temperature

February 2026 was Earth’s fifth-warmest February since records began in 1850, with a surface temperature 2.12°F (1.18°C) above the 20th-century average. The 10 warmest Februaries on record have all occurred since 2016 and this month marked the 47th consecutive February with an above-average global temperature.
 

In February, above-average temperatures were observed across much of the global land and ocean surfaces. On land, temperature departures of at least 3.6°F (2.0°C) were notable throughout much of the contiguous U.S., the Arctic, northern Africa, western Europe, southern and eastern Asia and parts of Antarctica. Record-high February temperatures were observed across parts of Asia, Africa and smaller isolated areas in the U.S., and across the global oceans. Separately, the global ocean had its second-warmest February on record, while the global land-only surface temperature was the sixth warmest.

Below-average temperatures were observed across much of Alaska, northern Canada, the eastern U.S., Greenland, northern Europe, northern Russia and across parts of southern Africa, western Australia and parts of Antarctica. Record-cold February temperatures were observed in a few isolated areas, specifically northern Canada and southeastern Antarctica.

Regionally, Africa had its second-warmest February on record, while South America and Asia had a February temperature that ranked among the 10 warmest on record. Elsewhere, the Arctic, North America, Europe, Oceania and the Antarctic each had an above-average February, but they did not rank among the top 10.

Seasonal

Globally, the average surface temperature from December 2025–February 2026 was the fifth highest in NOAA’s 177-year record. During this three-month period, the Northern Hemisphere experienced its fifth-warmest meteorological winter, while the Southern Hemisphere recorded its fourth-warmest meteorological summer.

Year-to-date

Looking at the year-to-date, the January–February global surface temperature was also the fifth highest on record. According to NCEI’s Global Annual Temperature Outlook, it is very likely that 2026 will rank among the seven warmest years on record.

Snow Cover

February snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere ranked as the third-smallest extent in the 60-year record, behind only 1995 and 2002. Both major land masses saw significant deficits: North America and Greenland tied with 1999 for their seventh-lowest extent (340,000 square miles below average), while Eurasia also recorded its seventh-lowest extent (580,000 square miles below average). The most pronounced snow deficits occurred in the central and western contiguous U.S., central and southern Europe and from southwestern Russia through China.

Sea Ice

Global sea ice extent was the 10th smallest for February in the 48-year record, covering 6.57 million square miles, which is 360,000 square miles below the 1991–2020 average. The global deficit was primarily driven by the Arctic, which had its third-lowest February extent on record, falling 290,000 square miles below average. Meanwhile, the Antarctic sea extent was 70,000 square miles below average, placing near the middle of its historical record.

Tropical Cyclones

In February, six named storms occurred across the globe, representing near-average activity for the month. Four of these storms reached tropical cyclone strength (winds ≥ 74 mph), with two intensifying further into major tropical cyclones (winds ≥ 111 mph).

The South Indian Basin was the most active region, producing three named storms: Fytia, Gezani and Horacio. Gezani was the most notable, making landfall in Madagascar just days after Fytia as an equivalent Category 3 hurricane. The storm brought torrential rain, devastating storm surge and strong winds, causing severe flooding and extensive infrastructure damage.

Elsewhere, the West Pacific Basin recorded one storm, Tropical Storm Penha, which brought gusty wind and heavy rain to the southern Philippines. In the Australian region, Tropical Cyclone Mitchell was the only storm to form, battering the coast of Western Australia with heavy rain and gale-force winds. Finally, Tropical Cyclone Urmil developed in the South Pacific, affecting Vanuatu with heavy rain and strong winds.

For a more complete summary of climate conditions and events, see our February 2026 Global Climate Report or explore our Climate at a Glance Global Time Series.