Warmest Winter on Record for Much of US Despite Northeast Chill

Extreme warmth in the West and Plains offset a cold and snowy season in the Northeast

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The contiguous United States experienced its second-warmest winter on record, with nine states finishing with their warmest winter ever. However, the Northeast faced persistent bitter cold and heavy snowfall, creating a stark contrast across the country. The exceptional warmth and dryness in the West and Plains led to drought intensification and concerns over water supplies and agriculture, while Florida is enduring its worst drought in 25 years.

Why it matters

The dramatic temperature and precipitation disparities across the country highlight the growing impacts of climate change, with some regions experiencing extreme warmth and dryness while others face intense cold and snowfall. These conditions have far-reaching consequences for water resources, agriculture, ecosystems, and wildfire risk, underscoring the need for comprehensive climate adaptation strategies.

The details

While the Northeast saw its coldest winter in a decade, with persistent blasts of bitter cold and heavy snowfall, much of the rest of the country experienced the opposite. Nine states, including Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas, finished the winter with their warmest temperatures on record. Dozens of cities in the West and Plains also saw top 5 warmest winters, with some, like Dallas, recording their highest number of 80°F+ days. The exceptional warmth and dryness fueled the worst snow drought in decades across parts of the Rockies, as more precipitation fell as rain instead of snow. This has major implications for water supplies that rely heavily on snowmelt, including the Colorado River, which provides water for over 40 million people.

  • Meteorological winter, which spans December to February, was the second-warmest on record since 1895.
  • The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report released on March 5 showed more than half of the contiguous U.S. is experiencing drought conditions, an increase of about 10% from the beginning of February.

The players

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

The federal agency that provided the data and analysis on the record-breaking winter temperatures and drought conditions across the United States.

Bureau of Reclamation

The federal agency that manages the Colorado River, which provides water for more than 40 million people and fuels hydropower resources in seven states.

David Zierden

The Florida State Climatologist, who provided insights on the state's ongoing drought and its impacts on water supplies and agriculture.

National Interagency Fire Center

The organization that warned of an above-average risk of significant wildland fires in Florida throughout the spring due to the worsening drought conditions.

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What they’re saying

“We expect the drought to continue or even worsen in the next couple of months, as we are in the heart of peninsular Florida's dry season that usually lasts until mid-May. Then the summer convective rains kick in and provide some relief.”

— David Zierden, Florida State Climatologist (ABC News)

“Four of the five Water Management districts have either voluntary or mandatory water restrictions limiting outdoor irrigation. Range and pasture for cattle is the agricultural commodity that is hit hardest right now.”

— David Zierden, Florida State Climatologist (ABC News)

What’s next

The National Interagency Fire Center says Florida faces an above-average risk of significant wildland fires throughout meteorological spring, which began on March 1. Dozens of counties across the state have issued burn bans due to the ongoing drought and elevated wildfire risk.

The takeaway

The stark contrast between the record-breaking warmth and dryness in the West and Plains and the persistent cold and snow in the Northeast underscores the growing regional disparities in climate impacts across the United States. These conditions have far-reaching consequences for water resources, agriculture, ecosystems, and public safety, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive climate adaptation strategies to build resilience in vulnerable communities.