A late-winter heatwave is gripping much of the United States, with temperatures frequently exceeding 10°C (18°F) above normal for this time of year.
The peak arrived on Thursday, February 26, 2026, when a scorching 40°C (104°F) was recorded at the La Puerta station in Texas. This reading broke the previous February record for the entire United States.
While the same temperature was also recorded in Texas back in 1902, that figure is often disputed due to significantly lower temperatures at nearby stations. More reliable records from 1986, 2009, and 2017 showed highs of 103°F (39.4°C).
Temperatures exceeding 100°F (37.8°C) were also reported at several other locations across Texas. Monthly records for two stations were also broken in New Mexico.
La Puerta is located near the border with Mexico, which has also been experiencing exceptionally high temperatures in recent days, climbing above 40°C (104°F). Several stations there also surpassed February records. For example, Hermosillo reached 41°C (105.8°F) on Thursday, while Monterrey hit 40.1°C (104.2°F). Huites recorded 41°C (105.8°F) as early as Wednesday.
Nearly the entire United States experienced above-average temperatures on Thursday. However, a shift is expected over the weekend as arctic air plunges into the Northeast, bringing a dramatic drop in temperatures. Lows could fall below -25°C (-13°F) by Monday morning, more than 10°C (18°F) below typical late-February values.
The unusually warm weather is expected to persist in Texas and northern Mexico into next week.
