104° in Texas Shatters U.S. Winter Heat Records as La Puerta Sets Potential All-Time February Benchmark
TEXAS — U.S. climate history took a stunning turn this week as temperatures soared to 104 degrees Fahrenheit near La Puerta, Texas, marking what is being described as the hottest winter day ever recorded in the United States.
According to the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center’s official National High and Low Temperature report, the high temperature for Thursday, February 26, 2026, reached 104° at a location 2 miles north-northeast of La Puerta, TX.
The extraordinary reading comes during what is still meteorological winter, making the event highly unusual and historically significant.
Hundreds of Records Falling Across the Region
Forecasters say the Texas heat is part of a broader, historic warm spell affecting large portions of the Americas. Reports indicate:
- Hundreds of daily temperature records broken
- Some locations exceeding previous marks by wide margins
- Parts of Mexico running up to 10°C above long-term March and April all-time records
The magnitude of warmth is described as one of the most extreme winter heat episodes observed in the region.
A Stunning Contrast: -12° in Michigan
The same national report highlights the stark contrast across the country. While South Texas baked in triple-digit heat, the coldest temperature recorded that day was:
- -12° in Clarksburg, Michigan
The dramatic spread between the nation’s hottest and coldest readings underscores the volatile nature of late-winter weather patterns.
Why 104° in Winter Is So Rare
Triple-digit temperatures in Texas are not uncommon in summer. But reaching 104° in late February is virtually unheard of in historical climate records.
Meteorological winter runs through February, meaning this reading occurred before the official start of spring. Events of this magnitude can:
- Challenge long-standing monthly records
- Set new winter benchmarks
- Raise questions about long-term climate trends
What Happens Next?
Forecasters say additional data analysis is underway to determine:
- Whether this officially stands as the hottest winter temperature in U.S. history
- How many daily and monthly records were broken nationwide
- How this event compares to previous extreme winter heat waves
Further updates are expected as climatologists review official verification and historical comparisons.
The Bottom Line
A confirmed 104-degree temperature near La Puerta, Texas on February 26 has potentially rewritten U.S. winter climate history. At the same time, parts of the Midwest experienced subzero cold, highlighting the dramatic temperature contrasts across the country.
WaldronNews.com will continue tracking official updates as climate experts finalize record verification and assess the broader significance of this extraordinary event.