West Sees Warm Spell as East Remains in Deep Freeze

Burbank and Long Beach could break daily high temperature records as Northeast and Southeast brace for more cold.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 5:31pm

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As a deep freeze continues across the Northeast and Southeast, parts of the West are expected to see another day of balmy weather, with some areas poised to break daily high temperature records. Meanwhile, Florida will get a brief break from the cold before cooler temperatures return later this week, and freezing temperatures are expected to persist in other parts of the East and Northeast.

Why it matters

The stark contrast in weather patterns across the U.S. highlights the ongoing effects of climate change, with the West experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures while the East remains in the grip of a deep freeze. This disparity in weather conditions can have significant impacts on energy usage, agriculture, and overall quality of life for residents in the affected regions.

The details

On Tuesday, Burbank, California, is expected to hit 87 degrees, and Long Beach could reach 89 degrees, potentially breaking daily high temperature records. Other parts of the West, including San Diego, Portland, Oregon, and Great Falls, Montana, could also surpass daily record-high temperatures. The warm weather in the West is expected to continue on Wednesday, with Los Angeles forecast to reach 89 degrees. Meanwhile, wind advisories are in place for parts of Southern California, with gusts up to 45 mph and isolated gusts of up to 55 mph expected. In the East, much of Florida remained under a freeze warning on Tuesday morning, and several cities throughout the Southeast set daily low temperature records on Monday, including Gainesville, Florida, which recorded a low of 22 degrees.

  • On Tuesday, Burbank, California, is expected to hit 87 degrees, and Long Beach could reach 89 degrees.
  • On Wednesday, the warm weather in the West is expected to continue, with Los Angeles forecast to reach 89 degrees.
  • Wind advisories are in place for parts of Southern California from 4 a.m. Pacific time on Wednesday through noon on Thursday.

The players

Burbank, California

A city in Southern California that is expected to potentially break a daily high temperature record on Tuesday.

Long Beach, California

A city in Southern California that is expected to potentially break a daily high temperature record on Tuesday.

Los Angeles, California

The largest city in Southern California, which is forecast to reach 89 degrees on Wednesday.

Gainesville, Florida

A city in Florida that set a daily low temperature record of 22 degrees on Monday.

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What’s next

The warm weather in the West is expected to slowly spread through the middle of the country next week, while freezing temperatures are expected to continue in other parts of the East and Northeast this week as another cold blast is expected on Wednesday, Thursday and into the weekend.

The takeaway

The drastic differences in weather conditions across the United States underscore the complex and unpredictable nature of climate change, with some regions experiencing record-breaking warmth while others face prolonged periods of extreme cold. This disparity in weather patterns can have significant implications for energy usage, agriculture, and the overall well-being of local communities, highlighting the need for comprehensive strategies to address the challenges posed by a rapidly changing climate.