Yukon's February warmer than usual but not record-breaking

The statistics confirm what Yukoners already know: it was a warmer than usual February in the territory.

It was not quite record-topping, but it was close.

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"In terms of the mean temperatures for Whitehorse, we were well above normal about 6.7 degrees above normal,"said MattLoney, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.

Loney said the average temperature in February was 6 C, whereas the normal average is about 13 C.

That makes Februarythe fifth warmest since 1942, when weather data started being recorded in the territory.

Loneydidn'thave statistics available for all of western Canada but said most communities in B.C. and Yukon recorded above or well-above normal temperatures in February.

Overnight lows were... 2nd highest ever

Loney said the more "impressive" statistic was the night temperatures. The average overnight low is 17.6 C. Last month, it was 9 C, the second warmest minimumtemperature since1942.

He saidEl Ninois likely the primary reason for the balmy conditions.

"This kind of goes along with what we would normally expect with a major ElNino."

Loney said the warmer-than-average temperatures and dry conditions will likely continue,at least in the short term.

World-wide, weather watchers are saying February was the warmest ever recorded. They blame a combination of El Nino in the Pacific and climate change.