February 2025 and DEC/JAN/FEB 2024-25 U.S. State Temperature and Precipitation Rankings

Highlight: February 2025 and DEC/JAN/FEB 2024-25 U.S. state temperature and precipitation rankings.

Discussion: Despite the brief cold spell in February, the month averaged slightly warmer than normal (nationally). Only 8 of the 48 contiguous states were colder than normal with Montana ranking 12^th coldest in the 131-year climatology (Fig. 1). Conversely, 6 states ranked MUCH ABOVE normal lead by Arizona (2^nd warmest on record) and New Mexico (4^th warmest on record). February 2025 was slightly wetter than normal (Fig. 2) after a very dry early-to-middle meteorological winter. A total of 15 states were wetter than normal including Virginia (4^th wettest on record) and West Virginia (7^th wettest on record). The Central and Southwest U.S. were drier than normal. New Mexico observed their 6^th driest February on record.

Meteorological winter 2024-25 ranked 28^th warmest on record (Fig. 3). The warm signature was heavily influenced by the 4^th warmest December on record to start meteorological winter. State rankings reveal seasonably cold climate from the Interior Northwest to the East Coast where all states were within normal range. The Upper Midwest and northern New England were marginally mild while the warm region was the Southwest U.S. where California and Arizona observed their 5^th warmest winter on record.

The precipitation pattern was dry ranking 20^th driest in the 131-year climatology (Fig. 4).  The driest regions were the Southwest U.S. to central Great Plains and northern Mid-Atlantic States. Arizona and New Mexico observed their 2^nd driest winter seasons on record fueling a widespread harsh drought. The Northeast Corridor Coast drought continues inspired by the 11^th driest winter on record in New Jersey. While 24 states were drier than normal, 4 states managed a wetter than normal winter season including Arkansas, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia.

Fig. 1: The February 2025 state temperature rankings given the 1895-2025 climatology.

Fig. 2: The December 2025 state precipitation rankings given the 1895-2025 climatology.

Fig. 3: The DEC/JAN/FEB 2024-25 state temperature rankings given the 1895-2025 climatology.

Fig. 4: The DEC/JAN/FEB 2024-25 state precipitation rankings given the 1895-2025 climatology.