The world just had the fifth warmest February, according to copernicusecmwf's latest bulletin. There was a strong temperature contrast within Europe. Warmer-than-average temperatures occurred across the United States, the Middle East, central Asia, and east Antarctica; cold conditions gripped Alaska, northern Canada, Greenland, and northern Russia. Heavy storms and rain affected western Europe and northern Africa, with exceptional floods that caused widespread damage and loss of life and livelihoods. Severe flooding also hit Australia, Mozambique, and Botswana. The extreme events once again highlight the need for #EarlyWarningsForAll - the top priority of the WMO community to save lives and protect economies.