When to go · United States
United States in February
Mixed month. Still winter north; ski season in the Rockies; Presidents' Day weekend busy. Mardi Gras in New Orleans (date varies).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Crowds
- Low
- United States
- Prices
- Medium
- United States
Verdict
Still winter north; ski season in the Rockies; Presidents' Day weekend busy. Mardi Gras in New Orleans (date varies).
Weather in February
- Northeast · New York, Boston, Washington, Philadelphia, Mainecool
Cold, sometimes snowy winters; humid 30 °C+ spells in July–August; late September to October is the pick for foliage and walking.
- Southeast and Florida · Miami, Orlando, the Keys, Savannah, Charlestonbest weather
Winter is dry and warm in South Florida; summer brings daily storms and heat; hurricane risk June–November, peak August–October.
- Gulf and Deep South · New Orleans, Houston, Nashville, Atlantafine
Spring and autumn are comfortable; summer is hot and humid; hurricanes reach the Gulf coast.
- Midwest and Great Lakes · Chicago, Detroit, Minneapoliscool
Hard winters (−15 °C cold snaps and lake-effect snow), warm summers; tornadoes in spring on the Plains.
- Rockies and national parks · Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier, Rocky Mountain, Denvercool
High roads (Going-to-the-Sun, Beartooth, Trail Ridge) open only about June–October; snow possible any month at altitude.
- Desert Southwest · Las Vegas, Phoenix, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Death Valleyfine
Spring and autumn are park season; June–August tops 40–45 °C in the low desert, and July–September monsoon storms bring flash floods in canyons.
- California coast · San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Big Surrainy
Mild all year; San Francisco is foggy and cool in summer; wildfire smoke possible June–November; winter storms can close Highway 1 at Big Sur.
- Pacific Northwest · Seattle, Portland, Olympic, Mount Rainierrainy
Grey and damp October–May; July–September is dry and clear, with wildfire smoke in some years.
- Alaska · Anchorage, Denali, Kenai, Inside Passagecool
The visitor season is roughly mid-May to mid-September; winter is for northern lights in Fairbanks.
- Hawaii · Oʻahu, Maui, Big Island, Kauaʻifine
Warm all year; winter brings big north-shore surf and more rain on windward coasts.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Presidents' Day
3rd Monday of February
Long weekend; ski resorts and Florida busy.
Mardi Gras (New Orleans) big impact
Feb or Mar (varies)
New Orleans hotels triple in price and sell out.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · United States
- Low
- Prices · United States
- Medium
What to pack
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
Where to go in February
Rated best or good this month
Southeast and Florida
Best weather of the year (Miami, Orlando, the Keys, Savannah, Charleston)