New York in February
In February, New York averages 6°C (43°F) during the day and -2°C (28°F) at night, with around 10 days of rain (78 mm total).
ShoulderConditions are cold — pack winter layers. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear. Snowfall occurs on roughly 3 days.
February in New York 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.).
How February compares to the rest of the year in New York
February is one of the coolest months in New York (11th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (7th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 11°C below the annual average (17°C). February runs 2°C warmer than January (4°C) and warms a further 5°C into March (11°C).
February sunrise & sunset in New York
Times shown for New York local time (America/New_York), calculated for the 15th of February. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.
Photography light in New York — February
Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of February, in New York's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).
📅 When to book — New York 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 New York's popularity.
Crowds & pricing — February in New York
New York 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 New York
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.
🌨 Some snow — New York in February
Gear: Occasional snow, often slushy by afternoon. Waterproof boots, warm coat, hat and gloves.
Sea temperature in New York — February
Across the year New York's sea swings from 4.9°C (February) to 23.5°C (July) — February sits at 4.9°C.
New York in other months
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rain days | Snow days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4°C / 39°F | -3°C / 27°F | 84 mm | 11 | 4 |
| February | 6°C / 43°F | -2°C / 28°F | 78 mm | 10 | 3 |
| March | 11°C / 52°F | 2°C / 36°F | 109 mm | 11 | 2 |
| April | 17°C / 63°F | 7°C / 45°F | 105 mm | 11 | 0 |
| May | 22°C / 72°F | 13°C / 55°F | 102 mm | 11 | 0 |
| June | 27°C / 81°F | 18°C / 64°F | 99 mm | 10 | 0 |
| July | 30°C / 86°F | 21°C / 70°F | 117 mm | 11 | 0 |
| August | 29°C / 84°F | 21°C / 70°F | 113 mm | 10 | 0 |
| September | 25°C / 77°F | 17°C / 63°F | 99 mm | 9 | 0 |
| October | 18°C / 64°F | 11°C / 52°F | 102 mm | 9 | 0 |
| November | 13°C / 55°F | 6°C / 43°F | 96 mm | 10 | 1 |
| December | 7°C / 45°F | 0°C / 32°F | 102 mm | 11 | 3 |
Other cities with similar February weather
🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for New York in February →
Frequently asked questions
How hot is New York in February?
In February, New York averages a high of 6°C (43°F) and a low of -2°C (28°F) — generally cold.
Does it rain a lot in New York in February?
February can be fairly wet in New York, with about 10 rainy days on average and roughly 3 snow days.
Is February a good time to visit New York?
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 New York 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 New York for a complete, climate-based checklist.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.