Edinburgh in February

In February, Edinburgh averages 7°C (45°F) during the day and 2°C (36°F) at night, with around 11 days of rain (50 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cold — pack winter layers. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.

February in Edinburgh is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).

7°C
Avg high
2°C
Avg low
11
Rain days
50 mm
Rainfall
1
Snow days

How February compares to the rest of the year in Edinburgh

11th
warmest month of the 12
9th
wettest month of the 12
7%
of yearly rainfall falls in February
9 h 37 min
daylight on the 15th

February is one of the coolest months in Edinburgh (11th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (9th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 6°C below the annual average (13°C). February runs roughly the same as January (7°C) and warms a further 2°C into March (9°C).

February sunrise & sunset in Edinburgh

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:38 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:15 PM
Day length
9 h 37 min

Times shown for Edinburgh local time (Europe/London), calculated for the 15th of February. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Edinburgh — February

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of February, in Edinburgh's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:38 AM – 7:18 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
7:18 AM – 8:18 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
4:35 PM – 5:35 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
5:35 PM – 6:15 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Poor
Core barely rises (or hasn't yet returned for the season). Consider a different month.
Aurora visibility
Fair
Aurora is possible from Edinburgh but requires a strong geomagnetic event (Kp 5+) plus clear skies — chase nights, don't count on them.

📅 When to book — Edinburgh in February

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on February's tier (Shoulder) and Edinburgh's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.

Crowds & pricing — February in Edinburgh

Shoulder

Edinburgh is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Sun & mosquito risk — February in Edinburgh

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
3.3
Moderate
Use SPF 15-30 for prolonged outdoor exposure; sunglasses recommended at peak hours.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●○○○○
Minimal
Occasional mosquitoes possible near standing water. Repellent rarely needed.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Edinburgh in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 7°C / 45°F 2°C / 36°F 65 mm 13 1
February 7°C / 45°F 2°C / 36°F 50 mm 11 1
March 9°C / 48°F 3°C / 37°F 55 mm 12 0
April 12°C / 54°F 5°C / 41°F 40 mm 11 0
May 15°C / 59°F 7°C / 45°F 55 mm 11 0
June 18°C / 64°F 10°C / 50°F 60 mm 11 0
July 19°C / 66°F 12°C / 54°F 65 mm 12 0
August 19°C / 66°F 12°C / 54°F 75 mm 13 0
September 16°C / 61°F 10°C / 50°F 65 mm 12 0
October 13°C / 55°F 7°C / 45°F 80 mm 14 0
November 9°C / 48°F 4°C / 39°F 70 mm 13 0
December 7°C / 45°F 2°C / 36°F 70 mm 13 1

Other cities with similar February weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Edinburgh in February →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Edinburgh in February?

In February, Edinburgh averages a high of 7°C (45°F) and a low of 2°C (36°F) — generally cold.

Does it rain a lot in Edinburgh in February?

February can be fairly wet in Edinburgh, with about 11 rainy days on average and roughly 1 snow days.

Is February a good time to visit Edinburgh?

February is cold. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cold weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Edinburgh in February?

Pack heavy winter layers, a coat, hat and gloves, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full February packing list for Edinburgh for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Edinburgh on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.