February is often regarded as a transitional month with winter beginning to loosen its grip while early hints of spring quietly emerge.
Yet the month has a long history of delivering significant and varied weather records. Using the Met Office data, this article explores February’s notable highs and lows, highlighting how temperature, rainfall, wind and snow patterns have shaped the month in recent decades.
Temperature highs: mild spells in late winter
Even in mid‑winter, the UK can experience remarkably mild days when Atlantic airflows dominate. Data from the Met Office shows several instances where February’s highest daily maximum temperatures reached the mid‑teens.
Last year, Hull East Park recorded a notably warm day at 17°C, a temperature more typical of early spring than late winter. Similar values appear elsewhere in the record: Pershore in Hereford & Worcester reached 18.1°C in 2024, and Teddington Bushy Park in Middlesex achieved the same value that year. The highest February temperature recorded in the UK was 21.2°C at Kew Gardens in 2019.
These events are consistent with broader observations that the UK is seeing more frequent winter warm spells, often associated with persistent south or south‑westerly flows.
You can explore February temperature records in our interactive graph below.
Deep freezes: extreme low temperatures in the Highlands
While some Februarys deliver warmth, others can plunge well below freezing. The Highlands, in particular, dominate the record for the lowest daily minimum temperatures.
Last year, Aviemore reached -9.6°C, while Altnaharra in Sutherland recorded an even more severe -13.8°C. Historically, Braemar, already well‑known as one of the UK's coldest locations, continues to feature prominently. For example, the lowest minimum temperature recorded in the UK since 1895 was -27.2°C at Braemar.
Cold events like these are typically driven by northerly or easterly airflows, and can be exacerbated by prolonged clear, calm nights allowing heat to radiate away from the surface.
You can explore February’s temperature extremes since 1950 using the interactive timeline below.
Rainfall extremes: downpours in the western hills
February frequently brings wet and stormy conditions, with Atlantic weather systems funnelling moisture toward the UK's western uplands. The daily rainfall records within the dataset underline this pattern clearly.
Last year, White Barrow in Devon experienced an exceptional daily total of 111.4mm, while previous years highlight even more dramatic rainfall events. Honister Pass in Cumbria, a location renowned for high precipitation, recorded a daily total of 204.6mm in 1997 and 154.4mm in 2002. Another example is Ennerdale, also in Cumbria, with a daily rainfall exceeding 183mm in 2020.
These intense rainfall events typically occur during deep low‑pressure systems or atmospheric rivers directing sustained moisture towards mountainous terrain. Such episodes can lead to localised flooding, landslides and transport disruption.
You can explore these rainfall records using our interactive graph below.
Wind extremes: high gusts during winter storms
February is a peak month for Atlantic storm activity, and the dataset records several extreme wind gust events.
For 2025, Capel Curig in Gwynedd reached a gust of 79mph, while historical values show even stronger winds in exposed coastal and upland areas. Sites like The Needles Old Battery on the Isle of Wight regularly record exceptionally high gusts, such as in 2022, when the highest daily max gust recorded was 122mph.
Strong gusts can cause widespread impacts, including power outages, structural damage and challenging travel conditions. February’s storms are often named events, bringing heightened public attention and preparedness measures.
You can explore these daily max gust records using our interactive graph below.
Snow depth: winter hazards in the highest areas
Snow remains a defining feature of February weather, especially in the Scottish Highlands and Pennines.
In 2025, Fettercairn, Glensaugh recorded 4cm of lying snow, however, previous years show far higher values. For example, Braemar recorded depths exceeding 38cm in 2021 while Balmoral in Aberdeenshire recorded depths of 70cm in 2010.
Prolonged snow cover can affect roads, agriculture and rural communities, and remains a significant winter hazard despite a general decrease in long‑term snow frequency across much of the UK.
You can explore all of these records using the interactive graphs below.
Taken together, the data highlights February as a month defined by extremes. From unseasonably warm days to bitterly cold nights, from record‑breaking rainfall to significant snowfall, the UK’s weather in February presents an ever‑changing picture.
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