Month guide · Washington, D.C. · United States
Washington, D.C. in February
What February is really like in Washington, D.C.: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: ajay_suresh, CC BY 4.0
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Quick answer
February is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 9°C (48°F), lows of 0°C (32°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 10.7 hours of daylight. Chilly and often damp, among the quietest months for the Mall and the museums.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 9°C (48°F) / 0°C (32°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 10.7 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in February
February is the 10th-warmest month in Washington, D.C.: days average 9°C (48°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 0°C (32°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 28 days. Compared with January (7°C (45°F)), February is warmer; by March highs climb to around 14°C (57°F).
- Sunrise (15 February)
- About 07:00
- Sunset (15 February)
- About 17:45
- Daylight
- About 10.7 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold with occasional snow, festive lights in December and the quietest museums and lowest hotel rates of the year.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, February rates 2 for crowds (the peak is April at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in April). That makes February one of the better-value months to book.
Events in February
- Lunar New Year parade in Chinatown (January or February)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in February
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Gallery · National Mall
National Gallery of Art
The free National Gallery's neoclassical West Building holds Leonardo da Vinci's Ginevra de' Benci, the only painting by Leonardo in the Americas, plus Vermeer, Rembrandt and a superb French Impressionist collection.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
- Architecture
- Couples
Museum · National Mall
National Museum of American History
The Star-Spangled Banner is in a dimly lit chamber at the centre of the second floor; start there, then pick one wing.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Kids
- Rainy day
Museum · National Mall
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
The museum's permanent exhibition tells the history of the Holocaust over three floors, through personal artefacts, film and testimony, starting with an identification card of a real person whose fate you follow.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Rainy day
Museum · Chantilly, Virginia
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
It is easiest by car or ride-hailing; combine it with a flight in or out of Dulles to save a separate trip.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Rainy day
- History
What to pack
For highs near 9°C, lows near 0°C and 9 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is February a good time to visit Washington, D.C.?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–May and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Washington, D.C. in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is February a good time to visit Washington, D.C.?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Chilly and often damp, among the quietest months for the Mall and the museums.
+How warm is Washington, D.C. in February?
Average highs are around 9°C (48°F) and lows around 0°C (32°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Washington, D.C. in February?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.