February of 2017 was remarkably warm across Iowa, including at Waterloo where it was the 4th-warmest February on record (going back to 1895). Daily record maximum temperatures were established on the 17th (69°F), 19th (67°F) and 22nd (69°F). During the 28 days of February there were only 5 days with an average temperature below normal, while there were 15 days that were 10+ degrees above normal and 5 days that were 20+ above normal. Here is where the month stacked up in various Waterloo records:
Warmest Februarys on record
1. 35.2°F (1954)
2. 34.9°F (1931)
3. 34.4°F (1998)
4. 33.6°F (2017)
5. 33.0°F (1930)
Warmest February days on record
1. 71°F (2/15/1921)
2. 69°F (2/22/2017)
69°F (2/17/2017)
4. 67°F (2/19/2017)
5. 66°F (2/17/1981)
66°F (2/25/2000)
Most 60°F+ degree days in February
1. 7 (1930)
2. 5 (2017)
3. 4 (1981)
4. 3 (2000)
5. 2 (1921)
Blog post by Jim Lee, Meteorologist