Weather in New York in February

How February compares

February is the 11th warmest month of the year in New York and ranks 133rd of 134 destinations we compare for February - see where else is hot in February. Within United States it is 6th of 6 (United States in February). Against London's average high of 7.9°C in February, New York is 3.4°C cooler by day and 6.3°C cooler at night.

Daytime and night-time in February

The typical February day in New York peaks at 4.5°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 11.6°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average -4.3°C; one night in ten drops to -11.8°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest February day here reached 23.2°C (2018-02-21) and the coldest night -24.0°C (1996-02-05).

Rain in February

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 9 days with 1 mm or more, 78 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest February was 2018 with 176 mm, the driest 2002 with 17 mm. Humidity averages 68%.

Sea temperature in February

The sea averages 3.5°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 2.2°C to 4.8°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (23.1°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 4.6 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 10.4 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:51 and sets about 17:29 local time in mid-February. Average cloud cover is 56%.

Is February a good time to visit New York?

February is not the strongest month here: cool days and frequent rain. The best months for New York on our scoring are August, July, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jun, Jul, Aug.

Expect proper winter cold, with some milder spells

A warm coat, gloves, a hat and layers you can remove indoors make more sense than relying on a light jacket. February sits near the cold end of New York's year, so it suits travellers who do not mind breaking up walks with time inside. There can be milder spells: the warmest days reach 11.6°C or more, but that is not a sensible baseline for packing. At the other end, the coldest nights fall to -11.8°C or below. Keep longer outdoor stretches for the warmer part of the day, and treat evening plans as something to dress for separately rather than an extension of the afternoon.

Use the daylight and leave room for wet weather

There is about 4.6 hours of sunshine within 10.4 hours of daylight, so February is not uniformly gloomy, but bright weather is far from guaranteed. Make the most of clear periods for walking rather than saving all your outdoor plans for later. Rain is a meaningful part of the month, and cold, wet conditions can make a long day outside less appealing. Bring a waterproof outer layer and footwear that can handle wet pavements. A flexible itinerary with indoor alternatives will work better than a schedule built around being outdoors throughout the day. This is a month for weather-aware planning, not dependable warmth or sunshine.