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Winter's Gone: US Cities Face Record Heat
24 Jul
Summary
- Winter temperatures rose in nearly all US cities studied.
- Average winter lows may not fall below 50°F in many cities.
- Snow accumulation hit historic lows in several western states.
Winter is rapidly warming across the United States, with temperatures rising in 239 out of 244 studied cities between 1970 and 2025. This warming trend is causing unprecedented conditions, including record-breaking temperatures in January 2026 in parts of Florida and Texas, and the warmest winter on record for several southwestern states. The lack of significant snowfall in regions like Colorado and New Mexico has contributed to severe drought conditions.
Projections show that if warming continues at its current pace, many U.S. cities will experience average daily winter lows that do not dip below 50°F by the end of the century. This shift is particularly evident in cities like New Orleans, Las Vegas, and San Francisco, which are projected to see significant increases in their average winter temperatures.
The average winter temperature across the continental U.S. from December 2025 through February 2026 was approximately 5°F higher than the 20th-century norm. Climate Central's report highlights that winter is the fastest-warming season nationally. The data suggests a future where many currently cooler cities may no longer experience freezing temperatures during winter months.
