Detroit, MI weather in February
In February, Detroit sees highs around 35°F and lows around 21°F: cold and snowy. Rain or snow falls on about 11 days. Snowfall averages about 12.5 in. It is one of the coldest months in Detroit. Pack for snow.
- Normal high
- 35°F
- Normal low
- 21°F
- Wet days
- 11
- 2.1 in total
- Snowfall
- 12.5 in
- snow on the ground 14 days
How February changes from start to finish
| February 1 | February 28 | |
|---|---|---|
| Normal high | 32°F | 39°F |
| Normal low | 19°F | 24°F |
| Chance of a wet day | 39% | 38% |
| Sunrise / sunset | 7:45 am / 5:45 pm | 7:08 am / 6:20 pm |
| Daylight | 10.0 h | 11.2 h |
Chance of a wet day: average for the first and last 7 days of the month. Times are local clock time (Eastern Time).
A typical February day
- 6 am26°Fdew point 19°F
- 9 am27°Fdew point 19°F
- Noon31°Fdew point 20°F
- 3 pm33°Fdew point 20°F
- 6 pm32°Fdew point 20°F
- 9 pm29°Fdew point 20°F
NOAA hourly normals (local standard time) from Detroit City Airport (6 mi away); average wind 10 mph; clear or few clouds in 35% of daytime hours, mostly cloudy or overcast in 57%.
What kind of days to expect
- Comfortable dayshigh 65-80°F and dew point under 60°F0 of 28
- Beach dayshigh 80-95°F, under 0.05 in of rain, afternoon wind under 15 mph0 of 28
- Hot dayshigh 90°F or more0 of 28
- Muggy daysdaily mean dew point 65°F or more0 of 28
- Wet daysat least 0.01 in of rain or melted snow11 of 28
- Notable rainat least 0.10 in5 of 28
- Freezing nightslow 32°F or below25 of 28
- Snow on the groundsnow depth 1 in or more14 of 28
Average days per February, counted from daily records for each year 1991-2020.
Rain and snow in February
Normal precipitation is 2.1 in; a dry February brings about 1.3 in and a wet one about 2.8 in (25th and 75th percentiles). About 1 day brings half an inch or more. Normal snowfall is 12.5 in, with about 4 days of an inch or more.
How February varies from year to year
- Warmest February, 1991-20202017: average high 46°F
- Coolest February2015: average high 24°F
- Wettest February2018: 4.3 in
- Driest February2004: 0.6 in
- Highest reading70°F (February 26, 2000)
- Lowest reading-10°F (February 20, 2015)
From the station's daily records with NOAA quality flags removed; most recent date shown when a reading repeats.
February compared with January and March
| January | February | March | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal high | 32°F | 35°F | 45°F |
| Normal low | 20°F | 21°F | 28°F |
| Wet days | 13 | 11 | 11 |
| Comfortable days | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Daylight | 9.5 h | 10.6 h | 11.9 h |
Highs change by +3°F from January and +10°F into March.
Nearby alternatives in February
- Warmer: Columbus, OH164 mi · high 41°F · 12 wet days
- Drier: Carmel, IN228 mi · high 39°F · 8 wet days
How Detroit ranks in February
- Normal high328th warmest of 378 cities; 2nd of 8 in Michigan
- Wet days322nd driest of 378
- Comfortable days269th most of 340
What to pack for Detroit in February
- A warm jacket – lows near 21°F, highs near 35°F
- A rain jacket or umbrella – rain or snow on about 11 days
- Waterproof boots – snow on the ground on about 14 days
- A hat and gloves – about 25 freezing nights
Heating and cooling
February has 1036 heating degree days and 0 cooling degree days (base 65°F), 15% of the year's total heating and cooling demand.
Questions
How cold is Detroit in February?
The normal high is 35°F and the normal low is 21°F. From 1991 to 2020 the coldest February reading was -10°F (February 20, 2015).
Does it rain a lot in Detroit in February?
About 11 days in February have at least 0.01 in of precipitation, and the normal total is 2.1 in. The wettest February in 1991-2020 was in 2018 (4.3 in); the driest was in 2004 (0.6 in).
Does it snow in Detroit in February?
Yes. Normal snowfall in February is 12.5 in, and snow covers the ground on about 14 days.
Is February a good time to visit Detroit?
February ranks 10th of 12 months on our comfort score for Detroit (30 out of 100). It has almost no comfortable days. The best months are May, June and September.
Where the numbers come from
- Temperature, frost dates and humidity and wind by hour: Detroit City Airport (USW00014822), 5.7 mi NNE of the city center, 626 ft . NOAA normals and daily records, 1991-2020.
- Rain, snowfall and snow depth: Detroit Metro Airport (USW00094847), 16 mi WSW of the city center, 631 ft . NOAA normals and daily records, 1991-2020.
- Cloud cover: Flint Bishop Intl Airport (USW00014826), 57 mi NW of the city center, 770 ft (172 ft higher than the city). NOAA normals and daily records, 1991-2020.
- Daily humidity and wind: Detroit City Airport (725375-14822), 5.5 mi NNE of the city center, 623 ft . Hourly observations, 1991-2020.