Where Is Spring? Early Summer in North India as February Temperatures Surge
For many residents across North India, this February has felt less like a prelude to spring and more like an early onset of summer. As winter recedes earlier than usual and temperatures soar well above seasonal norms, an increasingly familiar pattern is emerging: the traditional transition from winter to spring seems to be fading, replaced by unusual warmth that has forecasters, climatologists, and everyday people taking notice.
In New Delhi and the wider northern plains, maximum temperatures on Wednesday were recorded significantly above historical averages — in some areas recorded as much as 3°C to 5°C above the norm for this time of year. These unusually warm conditions have blurred the line between winter and summer, raising questions about shifting seasonal cycles and the broader implications for the region’s climate.
An Unseasonably Warm February
February in much of North India is traditionally marked by crisp mornings, mild days, and a gradual warming that heralds the arrival of spring. This year, however, meteorological data shows a sustained departure from this pattern.
In Delhi, maximum temperatures have hovered far above what is typical for early to mid-February. On one day recently, the mercury climbed to approximately 26°C to 29°C — temperatures more commonly seen in late March or April rather than the second week of February. Minimum temperatures have also been elevated, ranging between 13°C and 14°C, with both day and night values registering several degrees higher than the long-term average for this period.
This extended period of above-normal warmth has been noticeable not only to meteorologists but also to the public. For residents who are accustomed to a distinct seasonal shift — from winter’s chill to spring’s pleasantness — the lack of a mild middle phase has been striking, and many feel as though spring has been “skipped” entirely.
Causes Behind the Temperature Surge
The reasons for this sudden and prolonged rise in temperature are multifaceted, involving interactions between atmospheric dynamics, larger climate trends, and regional weather patterns.
Forecasters point to a combination of mild upper-air conditions and relatively weak cold air incursions from higher latitudes as one explanation. In previous years, strong westerly disturbances moving across the Himalayas have brought cooler air and sporadic showers or snowfall to the plains, temporarily moderating daytime temperatures. This winter and early February have seen fewer such strong disturbances, allowing heat to accumulate in the lower atmosphere more readily than usual.
The India Meteorological Department’s long-range forecast earlier in the month had already indicated a trend toward warmer conditions for the region, with both minimum and maximum temperatures expected to remain above normal throughout February. These forecasts were supported by data showing a general retreat of typical winter chill by early February, with fewer cold wave days than normal.
Another contributing factor may be broader climate change influences. Long-term temperature datasets consistently show that global and regional temperature averages are increasing, making above-normal readings more frequent across seasons. Scientific analyses have noted that over recent decades, February temperatures in North India have trended upward, and the probability of an unusually warm month has grown accordingly.
In some respects, this year’s warmth echoes patterns observed in earlier years, when February recorded its highest temperatures in over a century. While short-term variability remains part of normal weather, the cumulative trends suggest a shift in seasonal temperature distribution that is worth careful observation in coming years.
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Spring or Summer? The Emerging Perception
The unusually warm weather has not only affected official temperature records but also shaped public perception. For many people across North India, the feeling of spring — typically associated with gentle warmth, blooming flowers, and pleasant outdoor conditions — has been supplanted by heat more characteristic of early summer.
Local residents have reported daytime warmth that feels out of place for February. Within just a few days, winter clothing gave way to lighter attire more appropriate for March or April. These subjective experiences echo the underlying temperature data, reinforcing the sense that spring has been compressed or bypassed entirely this year.
This experience is not unique to Delhi or NCR alone. Other parts of the northern plains — including Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, and even regions of Punjab — are experiencing similar temperature elevations, further blurring the seasonal sequence. While winter mornings remain cool, daytime highs are firmly in the warm range that typically belongs to later months.
Impacts of Early Heat
The early and unusually high temperatures have a range of implications, both for daily life and for broader environmental conditions.
For people, the warmth can affect public health and comfort levels. Higher temperatures can exacerbate air quality issues, especially when combined with stagnant atmospheric conditions that trap pollution near the ground. In Delhi-NCR, forecasts have predicted poor to moderate air quality in the coming days, underscoring how warm and dry conditions can interact with pollution dynamics.
For agriculture, early warmth can disrupt typical crop cycles. Many farmers plan sowing and harvesting schedules around established seasonal norms, and an early temperature surge could affect soil moisture levels and growth patterns. While some winter crops benefit from increased warmth, others can suffer if heat arrives too early or if the warming is not followed by adequate rainfall.
In ecological terms, early warming can influence phenological events — such as the timing of flowering, insect emergence, and bird migration. A shift in these natural rhythms can have cascading effects on local ecosystems.
What Lies Ahead? Forecast and Outlook
Meteorologists caution that while the current warmth is notable, it does not necessarily signal an unbroken trend. Weather patterns are complex, and western disturbances or cloud systems can still influence temperatures and bring localized cooling or rain events.
Forecasts described the possibility of western disturbances interacting with atmospheric systems later in February, potentially bringing rain and even snow to higher elevations in the western Himalayas. These events, however, are unlikely to reverse the overall warm trend in the plains but could provide temporary relief from daytime heat.
Meanwhile, the gradual warming trend appears likely to continue through late February and into March, aligning with climatological expectations for the seasonal progression toward summer. This transition may be even more pronounced if the current pattern of weak cold air incursions persists.
Spring in a Changing Climate
The question “Where is spring?” reflects more than just a short-term weather anomaly. It points to a larger narrative about how seasonal transitions are being reshaped by longer-term climate dynamics. For residents of North India, the absence of a clear spring phase this year has been palpable — a reminder that weather patterns are evolving, and that established expectations may no longer hold.
Whether this early warmth signals a deeper change or remains an outlier may become clearer with more data over the coming years. For now, the warmth of February 2026 has made it feel more like an early summer than the gentle beginnings of spring — a striking reminder of the dynamic and changing character of India’s climate.
