United States in February: what to expect

February is the last full winter month in the United States, and the country splits into three very different trips. The Northeast, Midwest and Great Lakes stay cold, with snow and occasional cold snaps well below freezing; the Rockies are in their ski season, with snow at altitude and high roads closed. The desert Southwest is mild and dry, and South Florida, Hawaii and the Gulf coast are warm enough for the beach.

The Pacific Northwest and California coast are the wet part of the year, with rain in San Francisco and Seattle and snow in the Sierra. Daylight is still short in the north, so plan indoor or early-finishing days rather than long drives after dark. Temperatures below are 2026 estimates for typical February conditions; check a forecast before you book.

February is low season almost everywhere except ski country and the warm-weather cities. Hotels in New York, Chicago, Boston and Washington are cheaper than in spring or autumn, and museums, restaurants and tours are easier to book. The exceptions are Presidents' Day weekend (the third Monday), when domestic travellers take a long weekend, and Mardi Gras in New Orleans, when hotel rates spike and many require multi-night stays.

Ski resorts in Colorado, Utah, Vermont and California are at peak price through the month, and flights to Florida, Hawaii and Phoenix are busier than the rest of the country. If your dates are flexible, the first half of February is usually the cheapest window outside the Super Bowl weekend.

The month's fixed point is Presidents' Day on the third Monday, a federal holiday that produces a three-day weekend and school breaks in many states. Super Bowl Sunday falls in early February and fills sports bars and airports. Mardi Gras in New Orleans follows the Christian calendar, so its date moves each year between early February and early March; the final weekend and Fat Tuesday are the busiest.

Lunar New Year parades take place in several cities with large Chinese communities, including New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, usually in late January or February depending on the lunar calendar. Black History Month is marked with museum programmes and events across the country, and ski towns run winter festivals through the month.

Pick by climate, not by a list. South Florida and the Keys are at their best: dry, warm and outside hurricane season. Hawaii works year-round and February is a good month for it, though it is also the wettest month on the windward sides of the islands. The desert Southwest — Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas, and the Grand Canyon's South Rim — has mild days and cold nights, with far fewer visitors than in spring.

For snow, the Rockies and New England ski resorts are in full season. For cities, the northern ones are cheap and quiet but cold: New York and Washington are best done with museums, theatres and indoor sights, and you should expect snow days. New Orleans is at its most intense around Mardi Gras and much calmer afterwards. Skip Yellowstone, Glacier and other high mountain parks, where most roads are closed to cars until late spring.

Pack for the region you are actually visiting, not for "the US". Layers work everywhere: a warm base layer, a fleece or sweater, and a windproof and waterproof outer shell for the north and the Pacific Northwest. Add gloves, a hat and warm shoes if you are going to the Northeast, Midwest or mountains, and waterproof boots if snow is likely.

For Florida, Hawaii and the desert, bring light clothing, sun protection and a light jacket for cool evenings — desert nights drop close to freezing. A swimsuit is worth packing for the south even in February. If you are driving in snow country, check that your rental has winter tyres or chains where required, and carry an ice scraper.

January is colder and quieter, with the same regional split and lower prices after the New Year holiday. March brings the start of spring: Florida and the desert parks get busier, spring break begins, and the first warm days reach the South, though mountain roads stay closed. If you want the Southwest or Washington without winter weather, aim for March or April instead.