Extreme winter: Texas sees hottest winter day in history, while Northeast deals with most snow in years
February monthly records are in jeopardy across the Western U.S. — ensuring that nearly all the Intermountain West will experience its hottest winter on record, as the calendar turns to March and meteorological spring.
Historic February heat: Temperatures reach triple-digits in South Texas
On Thursday, a weather station near La Puerta, TX rose to an incredible 104 degrees, tying the U.S. record for hottest winter (Dec-Feb) temperature ever recorded. South Texas is expected to cool slightly in the coming days, but the record heat will expand into other parts of the state and across much of the West through California. February monthly records are in jeopardy across the region, including in Phoenix. This heat will ensure that nearly all the Intermountain West will experience its hottest winter on record.
LA PUERTA, Texas - This winter will likely be the warmest on record for many places across the Western U.S., as Texas recorded the nation's first-triple digit temperatures this calendar year. Meanwhile, the Northeast is bracing for another round of snow this weekend in what has been that region's snowiest winter in recent years.
A weather station at Falcon Dam in Star County, Texas hit a blistering 106 degrees on Thursday. This preliminarily set a new U.S. record for hottest winter day in recorded history.
FILE - The sun shines through a saguaro cactus in Phoenix, Arizona, on June 7, 2024.
(Jim WATSON / AFP / Getty Images)
Other parts of the Rio Grande Valley reached 100 degrees, including Laredo, while San Antonio and Corpus Christi rose to 95 degrees — temperatures not usually seen until late May.
South Texas is expected to cool slightly in the coming days, but the record heat will expand into other parts of the state and across much of the West through California.
February monthly records are in jeopardy across the region — ensuring that nearly all the Intermountain West will experience its hottest winter on record, as the calendar turns to March and meteorological spring.
(FOX Weather)
Other cities across the Southwest are expected to approach record-high temperatures as well through Sunday, including Phoenix and Las Vegas.
The FOX Forecast Center said in Phoenix's 131 years of record-keeping, Phoenix has reached the 90s in February in only five previous years.
This would mark its earliest 90-degree day since Feb. 26, 1986, which was 40 years ago.
Farther West, Los Angeles could also reach the 90 degree mark.
(FOX Weather)
Northeast braces for more snow amid snowiest winter in recent years
Meanwhile, the Northeast will have several more opportunities for snow this weekend just days after a historic blizzard walloped the Interstate 95 corridor.
The early-week blizzard is now the storm of record for several communities across the Interstate 95 corridor, including in Providence, Rhode Island, where 37.9 inches of snow accumulated — now an all-time record for the city.
Consistent below average temperatures beginning in late November have helped set the stage for increased snowfall, as well as the deep winter feel for even a cold-ready region like the Northeast.
![Snow covers cars and sidewalks during the blizzard in Staten Island.]()
Image 1 of 9Snow covers cars and sidewalks during the blizzard in Staten Island. (Alison)
![Someone marveling at the amount of snow in Brooklyn, NY.]()
Image 2 of 9Someone marveling at the amount of snow in Brooklyn, NY. (Jolie)
![Heavy snow falling in Brockton, MA during Blizzard '26.]()
Image 3 of 9Heavy snow falling in Brockton, MA during Blizzard '26. (Ryan Linn)
![Heavy snow on Monday morning in Providence, Rhode Island.]()
Image 4 of 9Heavy snow on Monday morning in Providence, Rhode Island. (Gary DeCorte)
![Snow-covered cars in a neighborhood in East Providence, Rhode Island.]()
Image 5 of 9Snow-covered cars in a neighborhood in East Providence, Rhode Island. (John)
![A driver clears snow off a vehicle during a winter storm in the Brooklyn borough of New York, US, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026.]()
Image 6 of 9A driver clears snow off a vehicle during a winter storm in the Brooklyn borough of New York, US, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (Photographer: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
![Historic blizzard brings nearly a foot of snow to Fairview, NJ]()
Image 7 of 9Historic blizzard of Feb. 2026 brings nearly a foot of snow to Fairview, NJ (Miriam Caso)
![Over 2 feet of snow reported in Islip, NY with drifts adding to the mounds on Feb. 23, 2026.]()
Image 8 of 9Over 2 feet of snow reported in Islip, NY with drifts adding to the mounds on Feb. 23, 2026. (Lisa)
![Powerful blizzard of 2026 buries Swansea, MA, in mounds snow]()
Image 9 of 9Powerful blizzard of Feb. 2026 buries Swansea, MA, in mounds snow (Luis Quevedo)
Snow is expected to reach the Interior Northeast and I-95 by Sunday morning, as frigid air from Canada lingers into the start of March.
Currently, higher-end computer forecast scenarios show a 3–5 inch swath of snow for Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and potentially New York through Monday.
Meanwhile, lower-end scenarios call for 1–3 inches of snow across the same region, with a heavier mix of ice and rain.
(FOX Weather)
Another shot of snow is possible for the Northeast Tuesday night, as an Arctic area of high pressure finally begins to make its exit if enough cold air is able to remain.
"The best chance for accumulating snow will remain north of Interstate 90, while significant icing will be a concern across Pennsylvania, where below-freezing air will stay trapped in the valleys," the FOX Forecast Center said.