Record-high Milwaukee Temperatures Highlight Climate Change's Impact on 'False Spring'

Marquette University students enjoyed a taste of warm weather, but the swing in temperatures is a sign of a changing climate.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Marquette University students spent the day outside on Feb. 16 in record-high 63-degree Milwaukee weather, a sign of a 'false spring' that has become more common due to climate change. The previous temperature high for Feb. 16 was set in 1921 at 56 degrees, and the warmest February day on record in Milwaukee was 74 degrees on Feb. 27, 2024. Stefan Schnitzer, director of environmental science/studies at Marquette, said the swing in temperatures is a natural phenomenon that has been accentuated by climate change, with plants and animals responding to the earlier onset of spring conditions.

Why it matters

The record-high temperatures in Milwaukee highlight the impact of climate change on seasonal weather patterns, known as a 'false spring.' As the climate continues to warm, these unseasonably warm periods are becoming more common, disrupting the natural cycles of plants and animals and having broader implications for the entire ecosystem.

The details

On Feb. 16, Marquette University students spent the day outside enjoying the record-high 63-degree weather, a stark contrast to the typical cold and snow of a Wisconsin February. The previous temperature high for Feb. 16 was set in 1921 at 56 degrees, and the warmest February day on record in Milwaukee was 74 degrees on Feb. 27, 2024, breaking an 1882 record. Stefan Schnitzer, director of environmental science/studies at Marquette, said the swing in temperatures is a natural phenomenon known as a 'false spring' or 'fool's spring,' where southerly winds pull warmer air from the Gulf of Mexico to Wisconsin, only for average February temperatures to return later in the week.

  • On Feb. 16, 2026, Milwaukee set a record-high temperature of 63 degrees.
  • The previous temperature high for Feb. 16 was set in 1921 at 56 degrees.
  • The warmest February day on record in Milwaukee was 74 degrees on Feb. 27, 2024, breaking an 1882 record.

The players

Stefan Schnitzer

The director of environmental science/studies at Marquette University.

Max Sawyer

A senior in the College of Business Administration at Marquette University.

Calvin Whitney

A junior in the College of Arts & Sciences at Marquette University.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Everyone says, 'I want to live during exciting times.' Well, these are exciting times.”

— Stefan Schnitzer, Director of environmental science/studies (marquettewire.org)

“It really brings out Marquette's campus. The sun makes everyone happier.”

— Max Sawyer, Senior, College of Business Administration (marquettewire.org)

“My warm-weather surprise was spotting a pack of foxes living on the Summerfest Grounds.”

— Calvin Whitney, Junior, College of Arts & Sciences (marquettewire.org)

What’s next

The first day of spring is on March 20, when Marquette students and faculty can look forward to more consistently warm weather.

The takeaway

The record-high temperatures in Milwaukee are a clear sign of the impact of climate change, as 'false spring' conditions become more common and disrupt the natural cycles of plants and animals. While students enjoyed the unexpected warm weather, it highlights the need to address the broader implications of a changing climate.