Sam O'Connor had a great question to me from Facebook.  He was wondering how our lack of 40 this February ranks historically.

As of February 20 we have not hit 40 this month, a very rare scenario.  We have a shot at it February 21 & 22 & 23.

If we just barely miss it 21 or 22, we should definitely hit it the 23rd.

All data here is from West Lafayette (Purdue University 1879-1943 & the Purdue Airport 1944-present).

Since 1879, only 7 Februarys have not reached 40 on or after February 21.

Since 1870, it appears that total is likely 8.

The last time a February was close to this was 2010 when we did not hit 40 in February until the 20th with a high right at 40.

Before that, you have to go back to 2007 to find another close date with the first 40 of the month on February 19 with 46.

1980 was the only other close occurrence in 41 years with the first 40 February 19 with a high of 40.  In the cold February-early March of 1980 we didn't even reach 50 until March 10.

You have to go all the way back to the brutal winter of 1977-78 & 1978-79 to find even later occurrences of the first 40 in February compared to 2021.

In 1979, the first 40 was a 44 on February 23.

In 1978, the first February 40 was 41 on February 24.

Here is a list of all of the previous Februarys with the first 40 on or after February 21:

1958:  February 21 (40)

1936:  February 23 (48)

1905:  February 21 (40)

1902:  February 22 (43)

1895:  February 21 (40)

Prior to 1895 & after 1870, it appears that only 1875 most likely had the first 40 February 22 per observers in Indianapolis, Logansport & near Lafayette.