Orlando has been close several times in recent years to hit 90 degrees in February, but it has not officially happened since Feb. 1962.
That could change later this week. We expect forecast highs to soar well into the 80s, and temperatures could come close to topping out around 90 degrees by week’s end.
The last time the City Beautiful came close to hitting 90 degrees this early in a year was in 2020.
On Feb. 13, 2020, the Orlando International Airport hit an official high of 89 degrees.
This almost shattered all-time record for the earliest 90 degree day in Orlando.
The earliest 90 degree ever recorded was in 1935. The temperature then hit 90 degrees on Feb. 15 that year.
In all of record keeping, Orlando has only hit 90 degrees twice in February. Those years were 1935 and 1962.
Never has the temperature climbed above 90 degrees during this month.
The average first 90 degree day is April 9.
Orlando has hit the first 90 degree day in March over the past three years.
The typical high for late February is around 76 to 77 degrees. By the end of this week, temperatures will be 10 to nearly 15 degrees warmer than normal for late-February.
This week a big ridge of high pressure will dominate much of the Eastern United States.
This will send our temperatures across Central Florida, and for much of the southeastern U.S., to near record-warmth.
Temperatures by late week will be in the middle-80s along the coast and around 90 for inland locations.
Many cities across Central Florida will probably be close to tying or breaking records from Wednesday into the start of next weekend.
The ridge of high pressure will keep the near-record warmth locked in through the end of February.
This high pressure system will also keep the storm track well to our north.
So if you’re hoping for some rain, it looks like we will finish February drier than normal.
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