This February has shaped up to be one of the most active months for weather across the United States, with snowfall levels and temperature extremes diverging sharply from the norm. Significant snowfall has blanketed regions such as Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where totals have reached around 32 inches, far exceeding the typical monthly average of 11.9 inches. According to local meteorologist Randy Mann, there’s the potential for this month’s snowfall to approach the 40-inch mark by the end of the season.
The dramatic increase highlights just how unusual this February has been. For perspective, Coeur d’Alene received more snow this month than it did throughout the entirety of November, December, and January combined. While the lower elevations may dry up for the rest of February, mountain regions have recorded over 200 inches of snowfall at certain resorts and up to 325 inches at others, indicating just how significant the winter conditions have become.
On the flip side, temperatures across the central United States have plunged dramatically. There were reports of sub-freezing conditions stretching as far south as northern Mexico. The extreme cold snap culminated between February 10 and February 13, where temperatures dropped to alarming lows. Mann observed, "Coeur d’Alene’s frigid mornings occurred from Feb. 10-13. It was 3 degrees on February 10, dropping to -6 degrees on the 11th, our coldest morning of the winter season." The freezing conditions extended well beyond Idaho, with areas of northeastern Arkansas also recording up to 30 inches of snow.
Regions north of Coeur d’Alene, particularly near the Canadian border, reported temperatures plummeting as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit, often coupled with wind chills dipping to -60 degrees. Meanwhile, Nebraska experienced similarly bitter temperatures, with highs unable to escape below the zero mark. A startling low of -33 degrees was recorded in Valentine, Nebraska, showcasing the extremes of this weather pattern.
Notably, the swirling weather conditions can be traced back to warmer air originating from the central Pacific Ocean. This influx of warmer air has caused unexpected rainfall, especially lower down, whereas colder elevation areas have mostly seen snowfall. Mann elaborated on the conditions, indicating these patterns marked the end of last year’s predictable weather structure. "Base temperatures finally cooled down enough to change the weather pattern...," he noted.
But the conversation about weather doesn’t stop there; there's also concern emanated from the space community surrounding asteroid 2024 YR4. Earlier this month, the asteroid’s potential for collision with Earth ticked up to 3.1% on February 18, the highest recorded chance for any potential asteroid impact. While this number slightly decreased to 1.5% shortly after, NASA continues to monitor not just this object but thousands like it. Space agencies around the world, including NASA and the European Space Agency, closely track about 1,500 near-Earth objects, maintaining vigilance as technology and observations advance.
It’s important to note, as reported by NASA, "Despite these agencies keeping constant watch... there is still near zero chance of any of them threatening Earth." The community remains resilient, emphasizing the need for caution without invoking panic.
This unusual blend of weather conditions highlights not only the dynamic patterns of our climate but also the intersections of space observation and earthly weather forecasting. With the changing climate and potentially dramatic weather swings becoming more of the norm, experts are keeping their eyes on the skies—both above and for those falling flakes. February 2025 serves as yet another reminder of nature's unpredictable power.