News

February was hotter & wetter than average

It wasn’t just you (and those springlike days) — climate change was here in February

Climate change is making Philadelphia hotter and wetter. This past February was no exception.

The average temperature was 3.8° above normal, and the 2.87 inches of precipitation was 104% of the normal amount, according to a new analysis from Climate Central.

Philadelphia is heating up more rapidly than other cities. It was the fifth-warmest location in February out of 180 locations monitored by Climate Central.

Overall, this past month is an ongoing pattern as a signal of climate change. February has been warming up 4.6° on average since 1970.

In addition, the February lows are becoming less common. Wintertime lows are an average of 8.1° warmer since the 1970s.

What’s likely going to happen in March? You guessed it, more warming.

Cover photo by Dyana Wing So on Unsplash


Julie Hancher

Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake.

Recent Posts

Holiday trash pickup, cycling death, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news: What’s open and closed on Christmas Day (including…

1 week ago

New transit hub, schools turning into housing, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news: SEPTA opens new Wissahickon transit hub. The project…

2 weeks ago

Green Philly’s 2025 Year-end Recap

In a year that felt difficult, community revived our souls 2025 was a challenging year.…

2 weeks ago

BREAKING: Circle Compost merging with Bennett Compost

Philadelphia's two private composting services are now combined into one. Circle Compost and Bennett Compost…

3 weeks ago

City planning survey, bird songs as art, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news: Philadelphia Planning Commission launches survey to hear from…

3 weeks ago

The low-waste holiday gift guide for everyone on your Philly list

Running out of ideas for everyone from your brother to Gritty? Here's a list of…

3 weeks ago