February in D.C. often delivers the first hints of spring, with longer days and occasional mild spells. But it’s also the most prone month for winter storms. Nearly all of the city’s biggest snow events have struck during the first two-thirds of the month, when cold air and coastal storms most often align.
Normal and record daily temperatures
Average highs climb from 46 degrees at the start of February to 52 by month’s end, with lows rising from 30 to 34 degrees.
The month’s extremes range from minus-15 degrees (1899) to 84 degrees (1930).
Record daily precipitation
February is the driest month of the year on average in D.C., and its daily precipitation records are relatively modest.
The wettest day on record brought 2.29 inches on Feb. 6, 1896. Four days have record totals under 1 inch, including a low of 0.8 inches on Feb. 5, 1908.
Record daily snowfall
The most snow in a single day is 16.4 inches on Feb. 11, 1983.
Nearly every day of the month has recorded 4 inches or more, with the exception of the final few days. The lowest daily record is 2.7 inches on Feb. 26 (1993).
Monthly temperatures by year
February averages 40 degrees, about 2.5 degrees warmer than January, but it still ranks as the second coldest month of the year.
The warmest February on record was 2017 (47.7 degrees), while the coldest was 1934 (24.6 degrees).
Overall, February temperatures have risen about 5 degrees since 1900.
Monthly precipitation by year
February averages 2.62 inches of precipitation (from rain and melted snow).
The wettest February was 2003 (6.98 inches), while the driest was 2009 (0.35 inches).
The month was notably wetter in the early 1900s — averaging near 4 inches around 1910 — but has remained fairly steady since the 1930s.
Monthly snowfall by year
February averages about 5 inches of snow, slightly more than January despite having fewer days.
The snowiest February — and snowiest month overall — was 1899 (35.2 inches), which helped make the 1898–99 winter the record-holder until 2009–10.
Snowfall is highly variable, with many quiet years punctuated by big storms. While averages are lower than around 1900, they’ve remained fairly steady in recent decades.
Early February is core big snow season
The peak of snow season in D.C. runs from about mid-January to mid-February, with early February right in the heart of it.
While January holds the top spot for most 3-inch-plus daily snow events — led by Jan. 28 — early February isn’t far behind. Feb. 7 ranks second, with nearly as many such events.
After midmonth, the odds of significant snowfall begin to taper off, although notable storms remain possible into March.
Events of note
Feb. 5–6, 2010. The historic “Snowmageddon” storm buried the region. D.C. picked up 17.8 inches, tied for the fourth-largest snowfall on record, with as much as 3 feet in suburbs north and west.
Feb. 7, 1936. A blizzard dropped 14.4 inches, tied for the 10th-largest snowstorm on record in D.C.
Feb. 9–10, 2010. Days after Snowmageddon, the “Snoverkill” blizzard added 6 to 15 inches. The back-to-back storms pushed the seasonal total to a record 56.1 inches.
Feb. 10, 1899. The coldest high temperature on record: just 4 degrees.
Feb. 11, 1899. The city’s coldest low on record: minus-15 degrees.
Feb. 11–12, 1983. A major blizzard dropped 16.6 inches, including the month’s record daily snowfall of 16.4 inches on the 11th. Drifts reached 5 feet, with up to 2 feet in the suburbs.
Feb. 11–14, 1899. The second-largest snowfall on record (20.5 inches). Snow depth peaked near 34 inches — among the highest ever observed in D.C.
Feb. 12, 2006. A fast-moving storm dropped 8.8 inches officially, with up to a foot in northwest D.C. Thundersnow was reported.
Feb. 15–16, 1958. A storm dropped 14.4 inches, including a calendar-day record of 12.9 inches. Thousands were stranded at Bowie racetrack.
Feb. 15–18, 2003. The second Presidents Day storm delivered 16.7 inches over several days, with up to 30 inches in northern suburbs.
Feb. 18–19, 1979. The original Presidents Day storm dumped 18.7 inches, the largest since 1922 and still the third biggest on record.
Feb. 20, 2015. The most recent record low: 5 degrees.
Feb. 21, 2018. A high of 82 degrees set a daily record and marked one of the earliest such warm readings on record.
Feb. 25, 1930. The warmest February day on record: 84 degrees.
