State records dating back to 1895 show mild temperatures from December through February were the highest yet.
Despite the chill from January’s snowstorm, Oklahoma averaged out an exceptionally warm winter season this year.
A report from the Oklahoma Mesonet shows climatological winter ended with an average statewide temperature of 44.3 degrees, about 4 degrees above normal. February also shattered previous records with an average of 51.1 degrees, which is 8.7 degrees warmer than normal.
By the end of last month, drought covered nearly all of the state.
State Climatologist Gary McManus writes the mild temperatures and continued drought helped create conditions for recent wildfires. The fires scorched hundreds of thousands of acres across the state and injured four firefighters. No people were reported to have died.
An analysis from science research nonprofit Climate Central shows most of the country is experiencing milder winters as the planet heats up.
This article was originally published by KOSU. You can see the original story here.