Western States Run 10–20°F Above Normal While Eastern States Sit 10–15°F Below Average During Exceptionally Amplified February Pattern
UNITED STATES — The past seven days have featured one of the most amplified temperature patterns of the winter season, producing extreme warmth across the western United States while simultaneously locking much of the eastern half of the country into persistent cold, a combination that resulted in hundreds of daily temperature records being broken nationwide.
Western States Experience Prolonged and Unusual Warmth
Across large portions of the West, Southwest, and Intermountain region, average temperatures over the last week ran 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. This warmth was widespread, affecting states including California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and parts of the northern Plains.
Daytime highs repeatedly exceeded seasonal averages, and overnight lows remained unusually mild, contributing to elevated weekly mean temperatures rather than isolated daily spikes. Such consistency is a key reason the warmth translated into record-breaking territory for many locations.
Eastern States Locked in Sustained Cold
In sharp contrast, the Midwest, Ohio Valley, Southeast, and Northeast endured temperatures averaging 10 to 15 degrees below normal over the same seven-day stretch. States including Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, New York, and much of New England remained entrenched in below-average conditions.
Frequent Arctic air intrusions, reinforced by snow cover and clear overnight skies, allowed cold air to persist even during brief daytime warmups. This led to prolonged cold stress rather than short-lived cold snaps.
Amplified Jet Stream Driving the Divide
The dramatic temperature split was driven by a highly amplified jet stream pattern, with a pronounced ridge over the western United States and a deep trough anchored over the East. This configuration allowed warm air to surge northward and linger in the West while funneling repeated shots of cold air southward into the eastern half of the country.
Highly amplified patterns like this are known for producing extreme anomalies on both ends of the spectrum, making it possible for widespread record warmth and record cold to occur simultaneously.
Hundreds of Temperature Records Broken Nationwide
Because the pattern persisted for several consecutive days, the impacts compounded. Numerous locations reported daily record highs, record warm lows, record cold highs, and record cold lows, depending on which side of the temperature divide they were on.
Meteorologists note that maintaining 10–20°F departures from normal for an entire week is far less common than a single-day extreme, underscoring just how unusual this setup has been.
What This Means Going Forward
As February continues, forecasters will be watching to see whether the amplified pattern relaxes or reloads. Extended periods like this can influence snowpack, energy demand, agriculture, and infrastructure, especially when cold and warmth persist well beyond normal expectations.
If you’ve noticed unusual warmth or stubborn cold where you live, share your experience and follow continued national and regional weather coverage at CabarrusWeekly.com.
