01Weather
New York City weather in March
Afternoons in March average 11.0 °C (52 °F) and nights cool to 3.4 °C (38 °F). The month brings about 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain spread over roughly 8 days. Compared with February it is 3.3 °C warmer; April is 5.3 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical March | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 18 °C / 64 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 5 °C / 41 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | -2 °C / 28 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 6.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Days with snow cover | 2.5 | snow depth ≥ 1 cm, per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 26 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest March day 2016–2025 | 25.0 °C / -8.3 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 March | 06:29 | 17:46 | 11.3 h |
| 15 March | 07:07 | 19:02 | 11.9 h |
| 31 March | 06:41 | 19:19 | 12.6 h |
Daylight grows by about 78 minutes over the month. Times are local (America/New_York), including the clock change on the last Sunday of March.
03Crowds
How busy New York City is in March
moderate The main sights are moderate in March. What drives it:
- St Patrick's Day parade
- spring break begins
- Easter can fall in March
04Public holidays
Public holidays in March 2027
No public holidays in United States fall in March, so shops and museums keep normal hours all month.
05Events
What's on in New York City in March
Every year in March
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| St Patrick's Day Parade | 17 March, Fifth Avenue | parade |
07Packing
What to pack for New York City in March
- a warm jacket or coat
- scarf for windy evenings
- closed, water-resistant shoes
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
- gloves: frost on about 6 mornings
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
March is unpredictable, swinging from snow to spring in a week, with afternoons around 11 °C and the St Patrick's Day parade on Fifth Avenue on 17 March the month's big crowd. Spring break visitors arrive mid-month. Prices begin to rise from the winter low. Early blossoms appear in Central Park by the end, and the clocks go forward on the second Sunday. Rain falls on about ten days.
The Armory Show art fair fills the Javits Center in early March in some years. March Madness fills the sports bars. The Macy's Flower Show in late March opens the spring season. The Statue of Liberty and Empire State queues remain short until spring break. For the cherry blossoms, the Easter Parade and baseball's opening day, see April.
09Compare
New York City month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5 °C | -1 °C | 8 | – | moderate | Good |
| February | 8 °C | 1 °C | 9 | – | quiet | Good |
| March | 11 °C | 3 °C | 8 | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 16 °C | 8 °C | 8 | – | busy | Good |
| May | 22 °C | 13 °C | 9 | – | busy | Excellent |
| June | 27 °C | 19 °C | 9 | – | very busy | Good |
| July | 31 °C | 23 °C | 8 | – | very busy | Mixed |
| August | 29 °C | 22 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| September | 26 °C | 19 °C | 6 | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 20 °C | 13 °C | 7 | – | busy | Excellent |
| November | 13 °C | 6 °C | 7 | – | very busy | Mixed |
| December | 8 °C | 1 °C | 10 | – | very busy | Off-season |
Not sure about March? See the best time to visit New York City.
10Elsewhere
March in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto in March | 6 °C | 8 |
| Orlando in March | 27 °C | 3 |
| Miami in March | 28 °C | 4 |
| Cancún in March | 29 °C | – |
| Las Vegas in March | 21 °C | 1 |
| Vancouver in March | 10 °C | 16 |
11FAQ
New York City in March: your questions
Is March a good time to visit New York City?
March is a good month to visit New York City. Daytime highs average 11 °C (52 °F), rain falls on about 8 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are moderate.
What is the weather like in New York City in March?
Expect cool days around 11 °C (52 °F) and nights near 3 °C (38 °F). One March in ten brings afternoons above 18 °C, and one in ten stays below 5 °C.
Does it rain a lot in New York City in March?
March brings about 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain over roughly 8 days, which is fairly dry by New York City standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 26 percent.
What should I wear in New York City in March?
Pack a warm jacket or coat, scarf for windy evenings, closed, water-resistant shoes.
Is New York City crowded in March?
The main sights are moderate in March. Main drivers: St Patrick's Day parade; spring break begins; Easter can fall in March.
What time does it get dark in New York City in March?
Around the middle of March the sun sets at about 19:02 and rises at 07:07, giving 11.9 hours of daylight.