February is one of the cooler months of the year in Washington, with average highs near 3.8°C and lows around -5.5°C (mean -0.8°C). It is one of the drier months, averaging 72 mm of rainfall and 86% relative humidity across the period.
February is one of the cooler months of the year in Washington. Across 45 years of records, the warmest February in Washington was 2017 — when the month averaged 3.6°C — while the coldest was 2015 at -7.3°C. Typical February days reach 3.8°C with nights near -5.5°C. The long-term trend is warming, about 0.3°C per decade.
February is one of the drier months in Washington, averaging 72 mm of rainfall. The wettest February on record was 2018 with 190 mm, while the driest was 1987 at 25 mm.
Relative humidity in Washington during February averages 86%. The most humid February was 2010 at 96%, and the least humid was 2002 at 76%.
February receives about 2.4 kWh/m²/day of solar energy in Washington. The sunniest February was 2024 at 3.1 kWh/m²/day, and the cloudiest were 2013 and 2018 at 1.9.
Average wind speed in Washington during February is 0.7 m/s. The windiest February was 1988 at 0.9 m/s, while the calmest were 1983, 1986 and 1987 at 0.6 m/s.
Ranked against the other 11 months using 1981–2025 averages.
| Metric | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | -1.4°C | -0.5°C | -1.3°C | -1.1°C | 0.6°C | +2°C |
| Avg High | 3.2°C | 4.1°C | 3.2°C | 3.5°C | 5.5°C | +2.3°C |
| Avg Low | -6.0°C | -5.1°C | -5.8°C | -5.7°C | -4.2°C | +1.8°C |
| Avg Rain | 70 mm | 65 mm | 61 mm | 87 mm | 83 mm | +12 mm |
February temperatures in Washington have risen by about 1.3°C between 1981–1985 and 2021–2025.
February has ranged from a record low of -20.9°C (2014) to a record high of 21.9°C (2017).
Rainfall in February is one of the drier months, averaging 72 mm, with a wettest year of 190 mm.
A quieter season to visit Washington
If your dates are flexible, the more temperate months of August and July tend to be the most comfortable for visiting Washington. That said, February — with days averaging 3.8°C and nights around -5.5°C (mean -0.8°C) and moderate rainfall (72 mm) — can still be rewarding for travellers who don't mind the cooler conditions, and often means fewer crowds.
| Year | Avg High | Avg Temp | Avg Low | Hottest Day | Coldest Day | Rainfall | Humidity | Wind | Solar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3.6°C | -0.8°C | -5.1°C | 14.5°C | -13.8°C | 96 mm | 83% | 0.7 m/s | 2.2 |
| 2024 | 8.5°C | 3.0°C | -2.5°C | 17.9°C | -8.7°C | 61 mm | 83% | 0.7 m/s | 3.1 |
| 2023 | 9.4°C | 3.5°C | -2.3°C | 19.5°C | -13.7°C | 54 mm | 80% | 0.8 m/s | 2.7 |
| 2022 | 4.9°C | -0.4°C | -5.7°C | 15.3°C | -17.3°C | 123 mm | 84% | 0.8 m/s | 2.7 |
| 2021 | 1.4°C | -2.6°C | -6.7°C | 14.3°C | -14.6°C | 71 mm | 91% | 0.7 m/s | 2.1 |
| 2020 | 5.3°C | 1.1°C | -3.1°C | 14.0°C | -11.8°C | 91 mm | 86% | 0.7 m/s | 2.2 |
| 2019 | 5.4°C | 0.7°C | -4.0°C | 15.8°C | -15.4°C | 136 mm | 89% | 0.8 m/s | 2.3 |
| 2018 🌧️ | 7.9°C | 2.9°C | -2.0°C | 21.5°C | -12.7°C | 190 mm | 89% | 0.7 m/s | 1.9 |
| 2017 🔥 | 8.5°C | 3.6°C | -1.2°C | 21.9°C | -11.7°C | 59 mm | 85% | 0.8 m/s | 2.5 |
| 2016 | 4.4°C | -0.3°C | -4.9°C | 16.0°C | -15.8°C | 75 mm | 84% | 0.8 m/s | 2.5 |
| 2015 ❄️ | -2.3°C | -7.3°C | -12.3°C | 7.2°C | -19.8°C | 39 mm | 83% | 0.8 m/s | 3 |
| 2014 | -0.3°C | -4.8°C | -9.3°C | 11.0°C | -20.9°C | 66 mm | 89% | 0.7 m/s | 2.6 |
| 2013 | 1.9°C | -2.1°C | -6.0°C | 11.9°C | -12.5°C | 53 mm | 86% | 0.8 m/s | 1.9 |
| 2012 | 6.1°C | 1.5°C | -3.0°C | 16.8°C | -9.8°C | 62 mm | 87% | 0.7 m/s | 2.5 |
| 2011 | 4.6°C | -0.6°C | -5.8°C | 16.7°C | -14.0°C | 103 mm | 85% | 0.8 m/s | 2.5 |
| 2010 | -1.4°C | -5.1°C | -8.9°C | 3.3°C | -19.0°C | 85 mm | 96% | 0.7 m/s | 2 |
| 2009 | 3.8°C | -0.8°C | -5.5°C | 17.6°C | -13.7°C | 40 mm | 85% | 0.8 m/s | 2.6 |
| 2008 | 2.9°C | -1.6°C | -6.1°C | 17.6°C | -15.1°C | 124 mm | 89% | 0.8 m/s | 2 |
| 2007 | -2.5°C | -6.7°C | -10.9°C | 7.8°C | -19.6°C | 50 mm | 86% | 0.8 m/s | 2.6 |
| 2006 | 3.2°C | -0.9°C | -5.1°C | 16.4°C | -15.4°C | 31 mm | 82% | 0.8 m/s | 2.8 |
| 2005 | 4.3°C | 0.0°C | -4.2°C | 13.5°C | -11.4°C | 76 mm | 88% | 0.7 m/s | 2.3 |
| 2004 | 2.0°C | -2.7°C | -7.3°C | 11.4°C | -19.0°C | 55 mm | 91% | 0.7 m/s | 2.9 |
| 2003 | 0.0°C | -3.8°C | -7.5°C | 7.8°C | -12.5°C | 81 mm | 89% | 0.8 m/s | 2.1 |
| 2002 | 6.2°C | 1.0°C | -4.2°C | 15.8°C | -9.7°C | 29 mm | 76% | 0.8 m/s | 2.6 |
| 2001 | 5.8°C | 1.1°C | -3.7°C | 18.4°C | -10.0°C | 37 mm | 80% | 0.7 m/s | 2.3 |
| 2000 | 6.7°C | 1.7°C | -3.2°C | 20.9°C | -11.0°C | 84 mm | 85% | 0.7 m/s | 2.5 |
| 1999 | 6.2°C | 1.1°C | -4.0°C | 18.5°C | -12.1°C | 49 mm | 82% | 0.7 m/s | 2.3 |
| 1998 | 6.2°C | 2.2°C | -1.8°C | 14.3°C | -7.0°C | 76 mm | 88% | 0.7 m/s | 2.1 |
| 1997 | 5.3°C | 0.7°C | -3.9°C | 16.9°C | -13.3°C | 42 mm | 87% | 0.8 m/s | 2.4 |
| 1996 | 2.3°C | -2.2°C | -6.8°C | 19.1°C | -19.9°C | 85 mm | 86% | 0.8 m/s | 2.2 |
| 1995 | 1.1°C | -3.5°C | -8.1°C | 12.5°C | -18.2°C | 61 mm | 85% | 0.8 m/s | 2.6 |
| 1994 | 2.3°C | -2.5°C | -7.2°C | 15.9°C | -14.3°C | 76 mm | 88% | 0.7 m/s | 2.6 |
| 1993 | 1.4°C | -2.9°C | -7.2°C | 10.6°C | -17.6°C | 62 mm | 85% | 0.7 m/s | 2.8 |
| 1992 | 4.8°C | 0.1°C | -4.5°C | 15.7°C | -14.3°C | 48 mm | 87% | 0.7 m/s | 2 |
| 1991 | 4.7°C | 0.4°C | -3.9°C | 15.1°C | -12.3°C | 65 mm | 89% | 0.7 m/s | 2.3 |
| 1990 | 6.9°C | 1.6°C | -3.7°C | 16.7°C | -14.2°C | 89 mm | 85% | 0.8 m/s | 2.4 |
| 1989 | 1.0°C | -3.0°C | -6.9°C | 15.4°C | -15.9°C | 111 mm | 84% | 0.7 m/s | 2.2 |
| 1988 | 2.1°C | -2.7°C | -7.6°C | 13.4°C | -17.0°C | 85 mm | 83% | 0.9 m/s | 2.7 |
| 1987 | 3.7°C | -1.1°C | -5.9°C | 8.0°C | -13.7°C | 25 mm | 82% | 0.6 m/s | 2.7 |
| 1986 | 2.3°C | -1.5°C | -5.3°C | 13.8°C | -13.7°C | 112 mm | 93% | 0.6 m/s | 2.2 |
| 1985 | -0.1°C | -4.1°C | -8.1°C | 17.1°C | -20.0°C | 36 mm | 92% | 0.8 m/s | 2.8 |
| 1984 | 6.6°C | 1.8°C | -3.0°C | 18.8°C | -10.1°C | 55 mm | 88% | 0.7 m/s | 2.1 |
| 1983 | 5.2°C | 0.1°C | -5.0°C | 17.1°C | -12.8°C | 43 mm | 83% | 0.6 m/s | — |
| 1982 | 2.9°C | -1.7°C | -6.3°C | 11.5°C | -14.6°C | 51 mm | 85% | 0.7 m/s | — |
| 1981 | 5.0°C | -0.3°C | -5.7°C | 19.0°C | -16.9°C | 113 mm | 85% | 0.8 m/s | — |
Actual recorded February data for each year, 1981–2025 — sourced from NASA POWER.
The average high in February is around 3.8°C with lows near -5.5°C (mean -0.8°C), based on 45 years of NASA POWER data.
February averages 72 mm of rainfall in Washington, one of the drier months. The wettest on record was 190 mm in 2018.
The hottest February reached 21.9°C in 2017. The coldest dipped to -20.9°C in 2014.
Comparing the earliest years on record (1981–1985) with the most recent (2021–2025), average February temperatures have risen by about 1.3°C. Daytime highs moved from 3.9°C to 5.6°C and overnight lows from -5.6°C to -4.5°C over the same span.
February is one of the cooler months of the year in Washington and one of the drier months, so plan for around 3.8°C daytime highs and -5.5°C at night.
Not quite — February is the 2nd coolest month in Washington, averaging -0.8°C.
For February in Washington, pack warm layers and a jacket for chilly mornings, with typical highs of 3.8°C and lows of -5.5°C. Bring an umbrella or light rain jacket too.
Relative humidity in February averages 86% — quite humid.
Average wind speed in February is 0.7 m/s. The windiest February on record averaged 0.9 m/s (1988).
The wettest February on record was 2018 with 190 mm. On average, February sees 72 mm.
All figures are derived from NASA POWER (Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources), based on MERRA-2 satellite reanalysis, covering 1981–2025.
Explore how the weather in Washington behaves each February, based on 45 years of NASA POWER climate data from 1981 to 2025. This page breaks down average temperatures, rainfall, humidity, wind and solar radiation for February specifically, along with year-by-year records and how the month has changed over the decades.
