Copernicus, February 2026 is the fifth warmest on record

The world recorded the fifth warmest February on record, with Western Europe hit by extreme rainfall and widespread flooding, according to data released by the European Union's climate observatory, as reported by Afp.

Global temperatures last month were 1.49 °C higher than those of the pre-industrial era, specifically the period 1850-1900, before the widespread use of fossil fuels led to climate change.

Temperatures and precipitation showed wide variations across Europe. The average in Europe was among the three coldest in the last 14 years, standing at -0.07 °C.

However, Western, Southern, and Southeastern Europe recorded above-average temperatures, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service.

Colder conditions were observed in northwestern Russia, the Baltic States, Finland, and the neighboring Scandinavian countries.

"The wet and dry conditions across the continent showed a stark contrast: much of Western and Southern Europe was wetter than average, while the rest of the continent was drier than average," the report states.

The United States, northeastern Canada, the Middle East, Central Asia, and East Antarctica recorded above-average temperatures.