In a series of remarkable weather events, both the central and northern United States and parts of France have experienced extreme weather conditions. An unprecedented February heatwave struck the US, setting new temperature records in various cities. Minneapolis, Milwaukee, St Louis, Detroit, and others witnessed their warmest February days, with temperatures reaching as high as 27C in Springfield, Illinois, and 34C in Abilene, Texas. This heatwave saw temperatures soaring up to 20C above the seasonal norms, contributing to the rapid spread of wildfires, including the Smokehouse Creek fire in Texas, noted as the state’s largest. However, this warmth was abruptly replaced by a cold snap, drastically reducing temperatures and bringing snowfall to areas like Kansas City and Fargo, North Dakota.

Wisconsin, in particular, experienced a significant temperature drop, from 21C to -12C in just 24 hours, tying a record for extreme temperature change set in 1911. Similar events occurred in Madison and Milwaukee, witnessing temperature plunges and unexpected snowfall. Meteorologists have highlighted these rapid shifts as potential record-breaking events, though definitive confirmation is constrained by incomplete historical data.

Simultaneously, in France, heavy rainfall has caused disruptions and road closures, with seven departments on alert for flooding risks. The town of Bourthes in northern France was particularly affected, being submerged for the fifth time in four months.

These extreme weather conditions have impacted local businesses and events, from closures of snowmobile trails in Wisconsin to the cancellation of a major sled dog race in Maine due to insufficient snow cover. The erratic weather patterns have also sparked discussions on the impact of climate change, as such unpredictability in weather events may become more common in the future. Meteorologists and residents alike are left to consider whether these intense shifts are indicative of a “new normal” in climate behaviour.