England and Wales have just experienced their warmest Februarys on record, according to provisional statistics from the Met Office.
This year’s mild and wet month has seen temperatures and rainfall exceeding long-term averages across many parts of the country.
Surpassing previous high set in 1990
England set a new record with an average temperature of 7.5°C in February 2024, surpassing the previous high of 7.0°C set in 1990.
Similarly, Wales recorded an average temperature of 6.9°C, edging past the 1998 record of 6.8°C.
UK’s second warmest February
The entire UK felt the warmth, marking its second warmest February with an average temperature of 6.3°C.
Although this did not surpass the record of 6.8°C set in February 1998, it is notable that the UK’s ten warmest Februarys since records began in 1884 now include the years 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2019.
Particularly high temperatures in the south
The southern half of the country experienced particularly high temperatures, with many counties in southern England seeing mean temperatures more than 3°C above their February long-term averages.
Over 30 counties, primarily in the south but also extending to the north, recorded their highest February mean temperatures.
A mild and wet theme
Met Office Senior Scientist, Mike Kendon, highlighted the mild and wet conditions that characterised February. He noted,
“February has perhaps been the quietest month of the winter, without any further named storms.”
This is in contrast to the significant weather impacts caused by storms Gerrit in December and Henk and Isha in January. Despite a cold spell in the north during the first half of the month, the predominant weather pattern was one of mild and wet conditions, especially in the south, driven by Atlantic low-pressure systems and a mild, south-westerly flow.
February’s wet conditions
February was not only warmer but also wetter than average. The south of England saw its wettest February since records began in 1836, with many areas recording more than double the average rainfall. East Anglia stood out, experiencing both its warmest and wettest February on record.
The region received 106.4mm of rainfall and had a mean temperature of 8.2°C. England as a whole recorded its fourth wettest February, although it was not as wet as February 2020.
A dull month for many
In addition to the warm and wet conditions, February was a duller than average month for much of the UK. Wales and some parts of southern England experienced particularly low levels of sunshine, though these conditions did not break any records.
This dull weather adds another layer to the unusual climate patterns observed during what has been an extraordinary February.
Find out more
Read more and see the relevant charts and tables on the Met Office website.
