Washington, D.C., District of Columbia Weather in February

February feels like winter

Washington is cold in February, with highs around 7°C and lows near -3°C. Rain falls on about nine days, and the cloudy, damp feel can make time outside less inviting. You'll get roughly four and a half hours of sun each day, so keep long walks around the National Mall for clearer spells.

The weather suits museum visits: spend a chilly afternoon at the National Museum of American History or the National Gallery of Art. Skip a full day of exposed sightseeing if it's wet or windy; the Lincoln Memorial and other monuments are less pleasant in those conditions.

Holidays and events

February brings Presidents Day, also called Washington's Birthday, and Black History Month. You can visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture during the month, though it's worth checking its entry arrangements before you go. Presidents Day weekend can draw more visitors than a typical winter weekend.

Families who prefer indoor plans will find February easier than a day built around outdoor monuments.

Quieter streets, winter prices

February is winter low season, so you'll generally find fewer tourists and lower hotel prices than during the busy spring cherry blossom period or summer. That makes a city break feel calmer, especially around the Mall, though holiday weekends are an exception.

A practical tip: use the Smithsonian Metro station for the National Mall, then choose one museum nearby rather than trying to walk the whole Mall in cold, damp weather. The distances between sights can feel longer when you're exposed to the elements, and daylight is shorter than in spring or summer.