The Only Really Cold Place on Earth Last Month Was the Eastern U.S.

According to preliminary NASA data, February was Earth's second-warmest such month on record, finishing up as the second-warmest winter and warmest 12-month period on record. In fact, much of the world saw above average temperatures during February, including nearly all of Eurasia, Australia, Africa and much of South America. The mild February means that the March 2014 to February 2015 period was the hottest 12 months on record , beating February 2014 to January 2015. The warmth in the West and Alaska was particularly noteworthy, as the Golden State is in an increasingly dangerous position heading into the 2015 dry season. The most striking aspect of the February temperature data is the sharp dichotomy between the much colder-than-average Midwest and Eastern U.S., compared to the West, where many cities were flirting with record warm for the month.