What February feels like in Minneapolis
Late winter arrives in Minneapolis with February. Even the warmest hour of the day stays near freezing. After sunset it cools off noticeably — nights drop well below freezing. Moisture in the air gives the cold a damp edge.
Rain in Minneapolis in February
Rain turns up now and then — about one day in 5. Each rainy day adds about 4.8 mm (0.2 in), a proper wetting rather than a sprinkle. That is lighter than the city's yearly norm of about 8.2 mm per rainy day. It is among the three driest months of the year.
Daylight and sunshine in February
Mid-month, Minneapolis gets 10 h 24 min of daylight, from sunrise near 7:16 am to sunset near 5:39 pm. Days are getting longer: 1 h 16 min more daylight than in mid-January. Measured sunshine covers about 73% of the daylight — there are plenty of bright spells.
How February compares to the rest of the year
Ranked by average high, February comes out as the 2nd coolest month in Minneapolis. Afternoons run 1.6°C (2.9°F) warmer than in January, with 8 mm more rain. The warm-up continues into March. March averages a high of 5.8°C (42.4°F).
Who February suits
- Sightseeing: less ideal — it is cold for long walks.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — too cool to sit outside for long.
- Museums & indoor: a good choice — warm places to spend the coldest part of the day.
Tips for visiting Minneapolis in February
Versatile Layers
Pack pieces you can take off by noon and put back on at dusk.
Warm Layers
A proper winter coat, with gloves and a hat for early starts.
Sunglasses
Bright days make sunglasses worth packing.
Quick questions
How warm is Minneapolis in February?
It feels freezing: typical highs are -3.1°C (26.4°F), with lows near -13.1°C (8.4°F).
Does it rain a lot in Minneapolis in February?
Only moderately: roughly 6 wet days and 29 mm, usually moderate rain.
What should I wear in Minneapolis in February?
Based on the averages: versatile layers, warm layers and sunglasses. Bring something extra for the cooler evenings.
Is February or March better for visiting Minneapolis?
March, narrowly: it ranks #9 of 12 among Minneapolis's months, against #11 for the other. March is warmer and has more rainy days.