Bold reality check: winter 2025–26 was exceptionally warm across much of the West, setting records as meteorological winter ended. Here’s what happened, why it happened, and what it means for you.
End of winter, start of questions: A broad slice of the western United States—from Southern California up through the High Plains and Northern Rockies—experienced its warmest meteorological winter (December through February) on record, based on 131 years of data. While the West baked, the contiguous U.S. overall ranked its second-warmest winter on record, thanks in part to cooler conditions in the East that kept the national average from reaching the very top.
Record-warm hotspots: Several long-running stations reported their warmest winter in more than a century of data. Salt Lake City (152 years), Tucson (130 years), and Rapid City, South Dakota (114 years) joined the list of locations breaking their winter temperature records. Phoenix’s winter heat shattered its previous mark by almost 3 degrees, a leap that dwarfed a record that had only stood for a year. Albuquerque also topped its previous winter warmth by about 3 degrees, with Helena, Montana, Las Vegas, and Lubbock, Texas, among others setting new benchmarks.
It’s not just about temperatures: Winter experience isn’t measured by temperature alone. The Midwestern Regional Climate Center introduced the Accumulated Winter Season Severity Index (AWSSI) to gauge how harsh winter felt, factoring in both cold and snowfall. Across the western half, AWSSI indicates record-mild winters overall. Note that AWSSI covers a broader window than strictly meteorological or astronomical winter, so some places may still be in winter-mode even as March arrives.
Snow matters too: The warmth trend wasn’t just about heat; it also meant far less snow in many places, which has downstream effects as we move into warmer months due to a thinner snowpack.
What drove the unusual warmth? A persistent ridge of high pressure dominated much of the West, steering storms well to the north and reducing mountain snowfall while maintaining higher daytime temperatures. This pattern aligns with a negative phase of the Arctic Oscillation (AO). When the AO dips negative, the polar vortex weakens, allowing colder air to spill into the East while the West remains comparatively mild.
Why this matters for you: With a thinner snowpack and warmer winters, water resources, wildfire risk, and seasonal planning can shift. Areas that rely on snowmelt for water may see longer, drier springs, while early warm spells can affect agriculture and energy use.
Thoughts to consider: Do you think this West-centric warmth signals a longer-term climate shift, or is it a temporary swing in weather patterns? How should communities adjust water management, winter recreation, and infrastructure planning in light of these temperature and snow trends? Share your perspectives in the comments.
About the author: Sara Tonks is a Weather.com content meteorologist with degrees from Georgia Tech in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and a master’s in Marine Science from Unity Environmental University.
