February 2023 Climate Summaries
Mobile Alabama and Pensacola Florida Area
Joe Maniscalco - Observation Program Leader (OPL)/Meteorologist
POC for Observation, Climate, and COOP
National Weather Service Mobile Alabama
March 3, 2023
February 2023 in Review - Much of the month felt like summer with anomalously warm monthly temperatures. In addition to the warmth, several record daily highs and record high lows were either tied or broken at both Mobile and Pensacola with most of these occurring the final week of the month. There were only four days at Mobile when the high was near normal and a only a few days when the high was below normal. The remainder of the time highs were well above normal. At Mobile, the longest stretch of warmest days occurred between the 20th and 28th, where highs averaged 13.8° above normal. There were six days at Pensacola when the high was near normal and a only a couple days when the high was below normal. The remainder of the time highs were well above normal. At Pensacola, the longest consecutive stretch of warmest days occurred between the 20th and 28th, where highs averaged 12.1° above normal. Even more notable was the morning lows from the 21st to the 28th, which during this span the numbers were very close to where the normal daily highs should be at both Mobile and Pensacola. During this stretch, lows averaged a phenomenal 21.5° above normal at Mobile and 20.1° above normal at Pensacola. Another worthy mention is average temperatures broke into the top five warmest February's on record. More details soon to follow in the breakout below.
Monthly rainfall fell short of normal by over an inch at Mobile and over two inches at Pensacola.
Mobile Alabama Area [Climate Normal Period 1991-2020, Climate Record Period 1872 to Present]- The average monthly high of 72.6° was 7.0° above normal and 3rd warmest monthly average high on record. The average monthly low was 53.4° or 9.0° above normal. The average monthly temperature of 63.0° was 8.0° above normal. For average temperature, February 2023 stands as 4th warmest on record. The highest temperature for the month, 85°, occurred on the 28th and also set a new record all time daily high for the month, breaking the record of 84° set three days prior. All in all, there were seven record daily highs and five record high lows. More details on these provided in the records table below. The lowest temperature for the month dipped to 33° on the mornings of the 13th and 18th, 11° and 12° below normal respectively for these dates. (Fig. A) shows a graphical representation of how the Mobile area temperatures compared to the seasonal normal daily highs and lows, which are shown by the colored dashed lines. Bar graphs reflecting the daily high/low temperature departures from normal are provided in the table below (Figs. B and C). The rain gauge collected a 3.03" (Fig. D), or 1.44" below normal. Accumulated rainfall climatology indicates a deficit by a touch over three inches (Fig. E). Click to view Mobile's February Weather Summary text product from the NWS Mobile.
February Top Records for the Month During the Period of Record for the Mobile Area:
Click on the Mobile Alabama area climate graphics below to expand:
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Pensacola Florida Area [Climate Normal Period 1991-2020, Climate Record Period 1879 to Present] - The average monthly high of 73.3° was 6.9° above normal and 2nd warmest monthly average high on record. The average monthly low was 56.0° or 8.8° above normal. The average monthly temperature of 64.6° was 7.8° above normal. For average temperature, February 2023 stands as 2nd warmest on record. The highest temperature for the month, 84°, occurred on the 28th and also set a new record all time daily high for the month, breaking the record all time monthly daily high of 83° set on the 23rd and 25th. All in all, there were six record daily highs and seven record high lows. More details on these provided in the records table below. The lowest temperature for the month dipped to 35° on the morning of the 18th, 13° below normal for the date. (Fig. F) shows a graphical representation of how the Pensacola area temperatures compared to the seasonal normal daily highs and lows, which are shown by the colored dashed lines. (Figs. G and H) shows the daily high/low temperature departures from normal. The rain gauge collected 2.33" (Fig. I), 2.44" below the monthly normal. Accumulated rainfall climatology indicates a deficit for Pensacola by nearly 3.50" (Fig. J). Click to view Pensacola's February Weather Summary text product from the NWS Mobile.
February Top Records for the Month During the Period of Record for the Pensacola Area:
Click on the Pensacola Florida area climate graphics below to expand:
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Additional February 2023 Climatology and Topics
The higher rainfall totals for the month was more focused over interior southwest Alabama and southeast Mississippi. Highest rainfall departures in small pockets in those areas were between 110 and 125% of normal rainfall. Fig. K shows the areal monthly rainfall total, Fig. L shows the areal rainfall departures from normal and Fig. M, the areal percent of normal rainfall. The latest February 2023 monthly summary for Eglin Air Force Base (AFB) - KVPS and Duke Field - KEGI has been received and provided in the table below. The temperatures in the daily tables consists of numbers both in °F/°C. Data courtesy of Mr. David Biggar, Staff Meteorologist, 96th Weather Squadron. Provided by permission.
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March 2023 Climatology, Seasonal Climatology and Outlooks:
As we begin to enter spring, the latest outlook for March favors temperatures to be leaning to likely above normal over the deep south and equal chances of above or below normal precipitation over the coastal plain. Although we have had an anomalously warm spell, bouts of cold weather detrimental to young garden vegetable seedlings can still visit during the month of March.
Click on the snap shots below to expand:
 March Normals |
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Additional Climate Links:
The links below are intended to provide additional climate information, education and outlooks. The National Weather Service Mobile Alabama's Climate and Past Weather page provides climate data at your fingertips for many observation points in the local forecast area by accessing the NOWData tab as well as many other climate resources. The Climate Prediction Center Link provides short and longer range climatic outlooks and education about the larger scale global circulations that impact temperatures and weather. With the large agriculture and farming presence along the central Gulf coast, the Drought Monitor link provides updates on drought trends and impacts. Another very helpful resource is the Community Collaborative Rain Hail and Snow (CoCoRaHS) network, which is a large group of volunteers working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail and snow). The aim of CoCoRaHS is to provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education and research applications. You can be a part of the CoCoRaHS team by becoming a volunteer rainfall observer. To learn more click on the CoCoRaHS link below.
National Weather Service Mobile AL Climate and Past Weather
Climate Prediction Center (CPC)
CoCoRaHS Network Water Year Summaries
Questions or Comments:
Contact: Joe Maniscalco - Observation Program Leader WFO Mobile, AL at joe.maniscalco@noaa.gov
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