The month was way warmer and dryer, as trends of climate change continue to show.

Spotting shorts in February is unusual. This past month, you may have noticed way warmer days than normal.

Philadelphia was much warmer than normal and much drier than normal this past month.  The average temperature of 42.7°F in February was 6.8° above normal, according to a new report from Climate Central. It didn’t just feel warm – this year was the second warmest February in Philadelphia according to data recorded since 1873.

Residents noted trees blossoming in February, along with other unusual days of 70°.

Februarys in Philadelphia are getting hotter, increasing to an average of 5.3°F warmer since 1970. As climate change makes the city hotter and wetter, February is also the month with the second fastest rate of warming in Philadelphia.

Additionally, the month was way dryer, with less than half as much precipitation than average. February’s 1.32 inches of precipitation was 48% of the normal amount.

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher