"Record-Breaking February Weather: From Snow to 90-Degree Heat"

Unprecedented warm temperatures have shattered records across the Plains and Midwest, with some areas experiencing their warmest February and winter days on record. This late winter heat wave is part of one of the warmest winters in the Midwest and Northeast, attributed to factors such as a strong El Niño, lack of persistent blocking patterns, and the fastest-warming winter season in the U.S. since 1970. The unusual warmth is disrupting blooming schedules and raising concerns about the impact of climate change on seasonal patterns.