New Data Shows How Mild February Has Been For Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, PA — Seems as though the groundhog was right. Temperatures in eastern Pennsylvania have been much warmer than normal so far this month, with averages of 4 degrees above normal in Pittsburgh. That's according to new information released by the Northeast Regional Climate Center.

Thirty-five major climate sites tracked by the agency were warmer than normal, with temperatures in Allentown, Pennsylvania, among the highest in the region above normal. There, temperatures have been 9.7 degrees above normal between Feb. 1 and Feb. 15.

Cities across Pennsylvania have recorded the higher-than-normal temperatures.

In Pittsburgh, the normal temperature for the first half of February is 29.9 degrees. This year, the average was 33.9 degrees.

In Philadelphia, where the normal temperature for the first half of February is 34.5 degrees, it has
averaged 41.3 degrees for the first 15 days of February 2020. That's a departure of nearly 7 degrees.

Allentown has experienced a departure of nearly 10 degrees for the first half of February. Temperatures there for that time of year are normally 29.4 degrees. This year, Allentown's average temperature from Feb. 1 to 15 was 39.1 degrees, according to the Northeast Regional Climate Center.

It's fortunate that the weather has been warm, because precipitation totals have been significantly above normal in many areas, including Pittsburgh. The city experienced 2.59 inches of precipitation between Feb. 1-15, 201 percent of the normal amount of 1.29 inches. That made it the 15th wettest start to February on record.

What can Pittsburgh expect for the rest of the month? According to The Weather Channel, more of the same. After a brief cold snap, the rest of the month should see high temperatures in the 40s and 50s, with - you guessed it - a chance of rain virtually every day.

Patch staffer Kara Seymour contributed.