The U.S. weekly evaporative drought demand index (EDDI) valid for late February indicates parts of the U.S. most susceptible to drought or flash drought as the warm season arrives is the Gulf States, parts of the Southwest U.S., and central U.S. Corn Belt. If areas listed shifted into a dry climate as the warm season arrives, rapid drought development/intensification would generate in these zones. However, the U.S. precipitation pattern is forecast to change through the next 30 days featuring above too much above normal precipitation in Texas to the Ohio Valley in the latest 15-day outlook likely to continue in the week 3-4 period.

Reviewing the Climate Impact Company U.S. heating degree day (HDD) count for selected cities reveals the coldest location for meteorological winter 2025-26 was Norfolk, VA where 117.4% of the 30-year normal HDD was observed. Values above 110% are considered MUCH BELOW normal temperature (or MUCH HIGHER than normal heating demand). Norfolk was followed closely behind by New York City (117.0%), Baltimore, MD (114.3%), Richmond, VA (114.2%) and Hartford, CT (113.7%).

Northern Africa, Southern Europe, and into the Middle East develop an impressive low latitude storm track. Central Europe to West/Southwest Russia and most of the Black Sea region are drier than normal.

During February, robust warming of the equatorial Pacific Ocean subsurface was observed and supports an El Nino ahead climate signal. The last months when the entire equatorial Pacific subsurface were warmer than +1.0C was observed during April-June 2023 when Nino34 SSTA was +0.88C by June on the way to +1.99C by December. Multivariate ENSO index (MEI) shifted to an El Nino supporting +0.5 in June (2023) peaking at +1.1 in December.