Hi - am traveling to NYC in Feb and would like expert advice on footwear. I was there in Dec and regular loafers and walking shoes were fine for the light rain and snow we encountered. Do you think I should be prepared with heavy duty footwear for traiping the streets in Feb? Thanks for any tips...

We went last February and it was pretty cold. We didn't need boots (as in snow boots) but his year it has been a lot snowier so I'd watch the NYC weather and check right before you go on this site. Most of the time the sidewalks should be clear. Wear comfortable shoes and, if it's real cold wear boots for warmth.

We've been having a cold spell recently-like 12 degrees at night. Yes for February I would bring boots. It can be snowy and icy at that time.

or can be warm

I have been going to NY the end of Feb for the past several years. The weather has varied from relatively mild (didn't even need hat and gloves) to cold and snowy. Most often it is a bit chilly, and there usually hasn't been snow on the ground and I've usually taken comfortable, but not heavy duty footwear (i.e., a pair of comfortable, low healed ankle boots). My best advice would be to start watching the weather a week or so ahead for the long range forecasts for temperature/snow and then pack accordingly.