Prague February weather

Still cold, but a better time to travel than January

Dobrý den! This is CULT.
Are you planning a trip to Prague in February? The weather in Prague in February is slightly better than in January, but it remains cold and dry. It still snows, though less than in January, and when it does snow the city workers do a good job clearing it, so the “white Prague” look disappears quickly. Many East Asian countries — Korea, Taiwan, China — have major holidays in February, so you’ll often see Asian tourists during this period.
Except for Taiwan, travelers from East Asia tend to dress very warmly because they’re used to cold weather. Travelers from Taiwan, who may be less accustomed to cold, should read this post more carefully.

From my experience, bookings for Prague portrait shoots start to increase in February each year, and the Lunar New Year holiday period is definitely very busy. Some people come for shoots wearing thin clothes, but I really want to advise you to dress warmly. It’s still too cold in Prague for light coats.

Czech — Prague: February weather

The average temperature in Prague in February is around 4°C (39°F). It is indeed a bit warmer than January, but it’s still cold. There are slightly more clear days than in January, and you’re more likely to see blue skies, so I recommend February over January, and March over February for visiting Prague.
Many photo shoots happen around the Lunar New Year holidays in February, and unlike in January, kids rarely stop shoots because they’re too cold. Some people still wear thin clothes insisting on style, but they often have to pause because of the cold. Warm padded jackets are still essential.

How cold is Prague in February?

January has many unbearably cold days, but February has more days when the cold eases. You can even tell from the uniforms of the Prague Castle Guard (Hradní stráž): the guards in the photo are wearing regular caps, not fur hats. That uniform indicates above-freezing temperatures; when guards wear fur hats it means temperatures are below zero. In January they usually wear fur hats.
January in Prague often drops below freezing with thick clouds and little sunshine, which makes it feel colder than it is. February has more clear, sunny days, so it feels a bit milder.

What should you pack?

Packing for Prague in February isn’t much different from January. A long padded coat is ideal; if you don’t have one, a short padded jacket will do. I don’t recommend lightweight down jackets — it’s too cold for them. A fur hat is useful, and touchscreen-friendly gloves are handy. Many of the photogenic spots in Prague are on hills, so when the wind blows your hands get very cold. Don’t forget gloves.

In the left photo you can see a man in shorts — I remember that day vividly. I was wearing a ski parka and thermal underwear for that shoot. When I wrote the weather report for that Prague February day I noted how amazingly tough that person was. For most of you, dressing like the person in the center photo is appropriate.

Still short days and long nights

Days are longer than in January but still relatively short while nights remain long. In extreme early-January conditions the sun rises at 8:00 and sets at 16:00, but in February the average sunrise is 7:12 and sunset 17:18 — about two hours more daylight than January. In January it can feel especially cold walking to dinner after sunset; that’s less of an issue in February. In my experience, Prague winter temperatures drop sharply about an hour after sunset.

Anything else to bring?

February is extremely dry. A portable humidifier is a good thing to bring.
Prague tap water is very hard, so use bottled water in a humidifier. If you put tap water in it, the humidifier breaks quickly. In my 11 years in Prague I think I’ve bought more than five humidifiers.
Hotels are dry and bad for your skin, so bring a portable mini humidifier and a thick moisturizing cream.

Who is February good for?

I’ve done shoots in Prague almost daily for 11 years, and by mid-February you often get clear days like in the photos. It’s still cold, but not as extreme as January. It’s rare for kids to quit a shoot because they’re too cold, and as long as you dress warmly, it’s suitable even for children and older people.
Also, many European airlines consider February off-peak, so budget travelers may find it attractive. Hotels and car rentals are generally cheaper, and many popular restaurants and cafés do maintenance before tourist season picks up in March, so if you time it right you can enjoy good value for money.

Prague February weather summary

Prague in February is better than January but still cold. Bring a long padded coat, a fur hat, and gloves, and I recommend a portable mini humidifier for your accommodation. As I’ve said many times: dress warmly. If you don’t, waiting for the tram will feel interminably long.

• [Czech — Prague annual weather at a glance]
• Prague January weather information
• Prague February weather information
• Prague March weather information
• Prague April weather information
• Prague May weather information
• Prague June weather information
• Prague July weather information
• Prague August weather information
• Prague September weather information
• Prague October weather information
• Prague November weather information
• Prague December weather information