February Shatters Expectations with Persistent Heat (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Las Vegas – The valley concluded its second-warmest February on record since 1937 with notably dry conditions, paving the way for cooler temperatures in early March.[1]
February Shatters Expectations with Persistent Heat
Temperatures soared well above normal throughout much of the month, averaging 58.9 degrees Fahrenheit across the Las Vegas Valley – 5.4 degrees higher than typical.[1][2] This marked the second-hottest February in 89 years of data, surpassed only by 2015’s average of 60 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.[1]
Chris Outler of the National Weather Service noted that last month ranked as the second-warmest February in the valley since record-keeping began in 1937.[1] The anomaly extended the region’s streak of above-average warmth, contributing to Southern Nevada’s warmest meteorological winter on record at a mean of 55.1 degrees.[2]
December set the pace as the hottest ever at 54.8 degrees, while January placed fifth at 52.1 degrees. Such patterns raised questions about long-term climate shifts in the desert Southwest.
Swinging Extremes: From Flurries to 80-Degree Days
Mid-month storms briefly interrupted the heat, delivering the valley’s only measurable rain and even snow flurries in the western areas on February 18.[1] Lee Canyon in the Spring Mountains accumulated 30 inches of snow during that event. The daytime high dipped to 49 degrees at Harry Reid International Airport on February 19, followed by a low of 35 degrees on February 21 – the coldest reading of the month.
Conditions rebounded dramatically thereafter. The valley hit 80 degrees for the first time in 2026 on February 26, with the airport reaching 83 degrees.[3] Two days later, another 83-degree mark set a daily record. Remarkably, Reid Airport avoided freezing temperatures throughout the entire winter, a rarity last observed in 2020-2021.[1]
- February 26: First 80°F day of the year, airport high 83°F.
- February 28: Daily record high of 83°F.
- March 2: Early March heat peaked at 86°F, breaking the previous record of 82°F from 1986.
Drought-Like Dryness Compounds the Warmth
Precipitation totaled just 0.35 inches at the airport, falling short of the monthly norm of 0.8 inches and occurring on only three days amid those mid-February storms.[1] Year-to-date rainfall through late February stood at 0.49 inches against an expected 0.92 inches.
This dryness echoed recent trends, with below-normal totals in 2022, 2023, and 2025. February 2025 had ranked as the fourth-warmest on record, underscoring a pattern of arid, heated months that strains local water resources and heightens wildfire risks heading into spring.
Cooler Air and Winds Usher in March
March opened with a final burst of heat, but a stronger cold front arrived by March 3, capping highs in the mid-70s before easing into the mid- to upper-60s later in the week.[1] Breezy to gusty winds accompanied the shift, prompting potential advisories across Southern Nevada.
Forecasters described the incoming air as more typical for early March, offering a reprieve from the prolonged mildness. Strong winds persisted into the weekend, signaling a return to seasonal variability after winter’s record warmth.
Key Takeaways:
- February 2026 averaged 58.9°F, second only to 2015’s 60°F.
- The full winter (Dec-Feb) set a new heat record at 55.1°F mean.
- Dry conditions prevailed with just 0.35 inches of rain, below normal.
Las Vegas residents now face a classic desert spring transition, blending lingering warmth with crisp reminders of the season. What are your thoughts on this unusually mild winter? Share in the comments below.
