Minneapolis in February

In February, Minneapolis averages -4°C (25°F) during the day and -14°C (6°F) at night, with around 11 days of rain (34 mm total).

Off-peak

Conditions are deeply cold — proper winter gear is essential. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.

February in Minneapolis 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.).

-4°C
Avg high
-14°C
Avg low
11
Rain days
34 mm
Rainfall

How February compares to the rest of the year in Minneapolis

11th
warmest month of the 12
11th
wettest month of the 12
4%
of yearly rainfall falls in February
10 h 26 min
daylight on the 15th

February is one of the coolest months in Minneapolis (11th of 12) and one of the driest months (11th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 16°C below the annual average (13°C). February runs 1°C warmer than January (-5°C) and warms a further 9°C into March (6°C).

February sunrise & sunset in Minneapolis

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:14 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:40 PM
Day length
10 h 26 min

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

Photography light in Minneapolis — February

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:14 AM – 6:54 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:54 AM – 7:54 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:00 PM – 6:40 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Poor
Core barely rises (or hasn't yet returned for the season). Consider a different month.

📅 When to book — Minneapolis 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 (Off-peak) and Minneapolis's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
3-6 weeks
Cheapest flights of the year. Last-minute deals are real if you can be flexible.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
2-4 weeks
Last-minute bookings work fine. Some seasonal properties close — call ahead if it's a small boutique or beach resort.

Crowds & pricing — February in Minneapolis

Off-peak

This is off-peak for Minneapolis — the lowest prices of the year and the fewest crowds, but with real trade-offs: some restaurants, hotels, and beach businesses may close for the season; weather conditions can make outdoor activities unpredictable; and a handful of seasonal sights run reduced hours or close entirely. Great if you prefer a quiet local rhythm and don't mind the climate giving you reasons to choose indoor activities.

Why this tier: challenging tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — February in Minneapolis

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
5.6
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.

🥶 Bitter cold — Minneapolis in February

Snow days (typical)
0
days/month
Avg low
-14°C
6°F
Avg day high
-4°C
25°F

Gear: Snow rare but air is freezing. Insulated coat, hat, and gloves still required — wind chill is the real enemy.

Minneapolis in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January -5°C / 24°F -14°C / 7°F 28 mm 13
February -4°C / 25°F -14°C / 6°F 34 mm 11
March 6°C / 42°F -5°C / 23°F 53 mm 13
April 12°C / 54°F 1°C / 35°F 89 mm 19
May 21°C / 69°F 9°C / 49°F 122 mm 17
June 27°C / 80°F 16°C / 61°F 115 mm 16
July 28°C / 83°F 18°C / 64°F 95 mm 16
August 27°C / 80°F 17°C / 62°F 120 mm 16
September 23°C / 73°F 14°C / 56°F 98 mm 15
October 14°C / 56°F 5°C / 41°F 88 mm 13
November 5°C / 41°F -3°C / 27°F 51 mm 13
December -1°C / 29°F -9°C / 15°F 45 mm 11

Other cities with similar February weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Minneapolis in February?

In February, Minneapolis averages a high of -4°C (25°F) and a low of -14°C (6°F) — generally cold.

Does it rain a lot in Minneapolis in February?

February can be fairly wet in Minneapolis, with about 11 rainy days on average.

Is February a good time to visit Minneapolis?

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 Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Minneapolis on the interactive map

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