Late winter · Weather & things to do
New York City in February
New York City sees its driest month, with just 3.7 in (95 mm) of rain, highs of 39°F (4°C) and lows of 30°F (-1°C).
With a comfort score of 43/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 39°F (4°C)
- Avg low
- 30°F (-1°C)
- Rain
- 3.7 in (95 mm)
- Humidity
- 81%
- Cloud cover
- 60%
- Daylight
- ~10 h 26 min
- Comfort score
- 43/100 · Tough
What February feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 39°F (4°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Average lows of 30°F (-1°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Some rain is likely, about 3.7 in (95 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
It's breezy, with average winds near 11 mph (5.0 m/s) at ground level.
Plan around February
February is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May and July – October.
- Last month with freezing nights on average; by March, lows rise to 35°F.
- Comfort holds steady from January (42 → 43/100).
- Our Hudson Valley by Rail route recommends Apr – Nov, so February falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for February
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 30°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Windproof shellaverage wind 11 mph
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in New York City in February
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Chelsea Market
Food hall in the old Nabisco factory at the High Line's south end.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 39°F.
Katz's Delicatessen
Lower East Side deli since 1888 for hand-carved pastrami on rye.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Vast art museum on Central Park; the rooftop garden opens in summer.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 39°F.
The Met Cloisters
Medieval art in reassembled monastery cloisters above the Hudson.
The Campbell
Restored 1920s office of a tycoon, now a cocktail bar inside Grand Central.
Why now A cozy break on a 39°F day.
Nearby in February
- Manhattan in February~5 mi · highs 38°F, 3.2 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Beacon in February~55 mi · highs 37°F, 3.1 in rain or snow · 1°C (3°F) cooler by day, drier
- Philadelphia in February~81 mi · highs 41°F, 3.1 in rain or snow · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, drier
- Hudson in February~107 mi · highs 34°F, 2.9 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, drier
These averages also cover Brooklyn, DUMBO & Brooklyn Heights and Midtown Manhattan.
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
New York City in February: quick answers
Is February a good time to visit New York City?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 43/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are May and July – October. Expect highs of 39°F (4°C) and 3.7 in (95 mm) of rain. Our Hudson Valley by Rail route recommends Apr – Nov, so February is outside its suggested window.
How cold is New York City in February?
Average highs are 39°F (4°C) and average lows 30°F (-1°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in New York City in February?
Some: about 3.7 in (95 mm) of rain falls across February on average, the driest month of the year. The annual total is about 51.7 in (1313 mm).
What should I pack for New York City in February?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 30°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely), windproof shell (average wind 11 mph) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on New York City
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