Home / Environment / February's Record Heat Fuels Floods: Earth Warmer Than Ever
February's Record Heat Fuels Floods: Earth Warmer Than Ever
10 Mar
Summary
- February recorded 1.49C above pre-industrial levels, making it the fifth-warmest on record.
- Extreme rainfall and flooding hit Western Europe, Morocco, Mozambique, and Botswana.
- Arctic sea ice extent was the third-lowest on record for February.
Last month marked the fifth-warmest February globally, with temperatures 1.49C above pre-industrial levels. This heat coincided with extreme rainfall and widespread flooding in Western Europe, affecting countries like France, Spain, and Portugal, as well as Morocco, Mozambique, and Botswana. These events led to significant damage and loss of life.
The Arctic experienced its third-lowest sea ice extent on record during February, with a 5% deficit compared to the average. This contrasts with the Antarctic, where sea ice extent remained close to its monthly average. Researchers noted a stark temperature divide across Europe, with Scandinavia and Eastern Europe being colder than average while Western and Southern Europe faced unusually warm and wet conditions.
Scientists point to climate change as a contributing factor to these extreme weather events. The warming oceans are carrying more moisture, intensifying rainfall. While specific weather patterns are complex, the overall trend suggests warmer, wetter winters and hotter, drier summers are becoming more common in regions like the UK. Adaptation measures are increasing globally as a response to these ongoing changes.
