Midwest and East Coast set to see the mercury soar 20 to 40 degrees above average as February ends with record-smashing warmth as low-pressure system sweeps across the U.S

February is on track to rank among the warmest on record in various cities across the U.S., particularly in the Midwest and the East Coast. 

Temperatures are expected to soar 20 to 40 degrees above average in what is usually one of the coldest months of the year, potentially setting new record highs.

The warming trend is set to begin on Sunday in the mid-west, strengthening to Monday - which is expected to be the warmest day of the year for cities like St. Louis, Dallas, and Chicago - possibly exceeding norms by up to 30 degrees.

This surge in warmth is expected to follow a powerful low-pressure system sweeping across the nation.

As it pushes warm and humid air northward, it may also fuel the development of severe thunderstorms in parts of the Midwest and South on Tuesday and Wednesday.

February is on track to rank among the warmest on record in various cities across the U.S., particularly in the Midwest and the East Coast

Temperatures are expected to soar 20 to 40 degrees above average in what is usually one of the coldest months of the year, potentially setting a new record highs

The unusual warmth expands eastward on Tuesday, covering much of the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley, with highs in the 60s expected from Chicago to Cleveland and possibly near 80 degrees in St. Louis. Texas can see highs in the 80s and 90s.

By Wednesday, warmth will reach the East Coast, with Philadelphia and New York City expected to see temperatures in the 60s. Meanwhile, the Gulf Coast and Southeast will remain hot.

A city like Omaha, Nebraska, could see temperatures in the 70s, when it typically would only reach 40 degrees at this time of the year.

In Omaha, Nebraska, the temperature Sunday broke 65 degrees (18.3 degrees Celsius) on a day when the average high temperature is around the freezing mark, according to the National Weather Service.

“Omaha is having its second warmest February on record in its 154-year history of tracking weather,” National Weather Service meteorologist Michaela Wood said Sunday. “And there’s a chance of beating the record yet tomorrow, when we’re looking at a high temperature of around 80.”

While the warmer-than-usual temperatures may have provided a break from harsh winter conditions, it didn’t come without some concerns. 

The warming trend is set to begin on Sunday in the mid-west, strengthening to Monday - which is expected to be the warmest day of the year for cities like St. Louis, Dallas, and Chicago 

By Wednesday, warmth will reach the East Coast, with Philadelphia and New York City expected to see temperatures in the 60s. Meanwhile, the Gulf Coast and Southeast will remain hot

The National Weather Service cited the warmth, along with low humidity, winds gusting more than 35 mph (56 kph) in places, and dry winter vegetation in issuing fire danger alerts in an area stretching across parts of 11 states.

Red flag warnings and fire weather watches were issued in parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, up to Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and east to Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. 

Nearby states, including parts of Arkansas, Minnesota and Wisconsin, were issued hazardous weather outlooks because of an increased fire danger, according to weather service maps.

The unusually early warm spell could telegraph trouble ahead, Wood said. 

The Climate Prediction Center says there is an elevated chance of higher-than-normal temperatures and lower-than-normal rain for the region through the end of summer.

The unseasonably warm conditions saw plenty of people heading outdoors to play in local parks, wash their cars and even get an early jump on lawn care over the weekend

“If we keep going in this trend, we could go back into a drought, and that would be a big concern — especially when it comes to fire risk,” she said.

Temperatures reached into the 60s in Denver, Chicago and Des Moines, Iowa, on Sunday, and Kansas City, Missouri, saw temperatures in the mid-70s. 

The unseasonably warm conditions saw plenty of people heading outdoors to play in local parks, wash their cars and even get an early jump on lawn care over the weekend. 

The warmup is expected to bring some record-breaking high temperatures Monday, But by Tuesday night, a cold front will drop the region back into winter, with wind chills below zero and snow in much of the central part of the country by Wednesday.

Dallas might even approach 90 degrees, a high usually reached in only starting late April, while areas near the Mexico border might even experience triple-digit temperatures.