"El Nino's effects were strongly felt in Detroit during the month of February, 1998. The average monthly temperature was 36.7 degrees Fahrenheit - 11.3 degrees above normal, which makes this the second warmest February here in approximately 120 years.
February, 1998 was also the least snowiest February on record, with only a trace of snow falling (normal snowfall is 8.9 inches). Precipitation, though, was well above normal, with 3.60 inches falling, compared to a normal of 1.74 inches. This included a record 2.24 inch rainfall on 17 February, which caused flooding in our area.
On a larger scale, we have yet to record a temperature below ten degrees Fahrenheit this winter - the first time that we have ever not had a single number temperature in December, January, and February. As for daily temperature departures from normal, we only had four below-normal days here during this period. Finally, February, 1998 is only the second winter month ever here not to record measurable snow (the other was December, 1889)."-- Paul Gross <paulg@wdiv.com>