New England could see a wetter and warmer February this year

When we look forward to the weather for our second month of the year, it is worth noting that January was less snow-covered, drier than average, but also colder than the 30-year-old normal. This meant that what little snow we had ended up on the ground for quite a long time, so it certainly felt like a more typical winter month.

Full Disclosure: I like February. It is an interesting month because it is the last month of the meteorological winter, and there is, even in a cold snow -covered February, signs of spring. This does not mean that it is a spring month, it certainly is not, and it can give some of the biggest blizzards in a whole year. But just like in August, there is a day or two where you know what is coming – it’s often the same with February.

The National Climate Center predicts February to be slightly milder than average with near or maybe even above average rainfall. The first half of February shows milder than average and wetter than average conditions is likely. The general storm track this winter has brought more rainfall over the interior parts of New England with less rainfall affecting the coastal region, including Boston. This trend can probably continue when we push in in February.

Average temperatures are still cold but will rise, and by the end of the month typical heights enter the 40s. Last February saw the average temperature in Boston run 3.4 degrees above normal.

Yes, snowfall can be plenty in February. 10 years ago, of course, we had a huge 64 inches of it, although there have been other years of little or no snow. Last year didn’t even bring an inch. Boston generally sees approx. 14.4 inches of snow every February.

It looks like this year should be more active than a year ago, with more chances of snow and definitely better skiing. Looking back on the winter of 2013-14, the last time a rather weak winter La Niña was in place, equivalent to this winter, then Boston 22.9 inches of snow in February 2014, almost 10 inches above average. Temperatures ran approx. 3 degrees below normal.

One thing we can predict with accuracy is the amount of daylight in February: Sunrides are now before 7 p.m. 7 and sunsets after 7 p.m. 17 in more than 10 hours of daylight. Solar Spring begins on Wednesday and marks the start of three months with the most amount of light reinforcement of the whole year that comes on the heels of Solar Winter, the darker three months. This is the time of year when you can actually slowly start feeding your houseplants again. I recommend a quarter or half strength watering in the next four weeks before resuming regular feeding.

If we get some hot days, Hamamelis or Witch Hazel will start to bloom, and along the southern side of a building crocus or snowdrop can shine. If you do not want to wait, cut branches from the witch’s or Forsythia and put them in a vase. In about two weeks you have spring indoors!

Around mid -February, you start hearing more birds in the morning. Carolina Wren sings through the winter, but the other birds start to chimrate, especially in weeks three and four.

Astronomically, the moon is full on the 12th. This is called the full snowmale and it reaches high lighting at. 08:53 Venus will also continue to shine bright in the evening sky.

The bottom line is that February is short and generally a winter month, but it is also a month that can bring hopeful signs of the great thaw coming in March.

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