United States New York Weather in March — Climate Guide
March in New York is Average
New York Weather in March — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 11° / 2°
- Rainfall
- 95mm · 12 days
- Crowds
- Moderate
As of 2026, New York in March averages a high of 11°C and low of 2°C with 95mm of rain over about 12 days. Light to medium jacket, sweater layers. Late March can hit 17°C / 63°F daytime but mornings still cool (4-7°C / 39-45°F). Light scarf for evenings.
March is Average for New York.
March is NYC's transition from winter to spring. Early March still has winter chill (8-10°C / 46-50°F daytime), but late March warms up to 14-17°C / 57-63°F with longer afternoons.
Daylight savings shifts the clock forward second Sunday of March — sunset suddenly jumps from 6:00 to 7:00 PM, dramatically extending afternoons.
Travel score
The most unpredictable month — winter and spring trade places weekly
March Weather at a Glance
March is NYC's most volatile month. Average 11°C / 52°F highs and 2°C / 36°F lows, but a single week can swing from -5°C / 23°F to 18°C / 64°F. Snow is still possible through mid-March (3-4 days on average). The 'mud season' nickname comes from the slushy mix of rain, sleet, and snow-melt that defines the first three weeks. Sunset stretches to 6:55 PM after Daylight Saving Time begins in mid-March.
March Travel Advice
Layering is the only way to survive March. Pack a light puffer + sweater + waterproof shoes + small umbrella. The cherry blossoms (early variety) start late March in Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Central Park — the official Sakura Matsuri festival doesn't peak until late April. St. Patrick's Day (March 17) brings the country's oldest parade (since 1762, 2 million spectators, 5th Avenue, starts 11 AM) — even if you're not Irish, the green-everything spectacle is worth seeing.
Flying In from Overseas
Late shoulder-season fares — round-trip from Asia and Europe runs $1,300-1,700, slightly higher than January-February. US Spring Break (mid-March) and Easter (varies by year) start lifting prices. Daylight Saving Time begins the second Sunday of March, narrowing the time difference to most international origins by one hour.
March Pricing Trends
Hotels: 3-star Midtown $220-280/night. St. Patrick's Day weekend rates jump 30-50%. Easter week (varies) books out 2 weeks ahead.
New York March Weather Stats
Avg High
11°C
Avg Low
2°C
Rainy Days
12
95mm total
Sunshine
7h
Daily avg
Humidity
62%
Comfortable
UV Index
4
Moderate
Wind
16 km/h
Gusts 30
Crowds
Moderate
At attractions
March Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
19 μg/m³
PM10
28 μg/m³
Status
Moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
9°C
Nighttime
1°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
16 km/h
Max gust 30 km/h
Activities Recommended for March
March Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- St. Patrick's Day Parade — world's largest Irish celebration
- Daylight savings extends afternoons (sunset jumps to 7 PM)
- Cherry blossoms emerge late month
Cons
- Variable weather — clear sun and cold rain alternating
- Spring allergy season starts (cedar, birch)
- Hotel prices begin climbing late month
March Events & Festivals
- St. Patrick's Day Parade (March 17) — 5th Avenue
- Cherry blossoms begin late month at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
- Daylight savings begins second Sunday of March
New York in March — Full Picture
March is NYC's transition from winter to spring. Early March still has winter chill (8-10°C / 46-50°F daytime), but late March warms up to 14-17°C / 57-63°F with longer afternoons.
Daylight savings shifts the clock forward second Sunday of March — sunset suddenly jumps from 6:00 to 7:00 PM, dramatically extending afternoons.
St. Patrick's Day Parade (March 17) on 5th Avenue is the world's oldest and largest Irish parade — 150,000+ participants march from 44th Street to 79th Street, watched by 2 million spectators. The 5-hour spectacle starts at 11 AM. Irish pubs across the city pack from morning through midnight; reserve dinner ahead at McSorley's Old Ale House (oldest continuously operating bar in NYC).
Cherry blossoms begin late March at Brooklyn Botanic Garden (200+ trees) — the most underrated NYC seasonal event. Free entry weekday mornings; festival weekend (Sakura Matsuri) early-to-mid April. Central Park and Roosevelt Island also have cherries but smaller-scale.
Weather is variable: clear sunny days alternate with cold rain. Pack a folding umbrella. Hotel prices begin climbing toward spring peak rates but still reasonable. Indoor museum visits remain at low-crowd levels.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Light to medium jacket, sweater layers. Late March can hit 17°C / 63°F daytime but mornings still cool (4-7°C / 39-45°F). Light scarf for evenings.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
Current16.7°C
7°C
12/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
28.7°C
19°C
10.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
18.7°C
10.3°C
9.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
5.3°C
-1.7°C
10.3/mo
New York Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4° | -3° | 11d·84mm | 5h | 64% | 1 | Moderate | Low season | |
| 6° | -2° | 10d·78mm | 6h | 64% | 2 | Moderate | Low season | |
| 11° | 2° | 12d·95mm | 7h | 62% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| April (Best) | 17° | 7° | 12d·110mm | 8h | 60% | 6 | Busy | Peak |
| May (Best) | 22° | 12° | 12d·115mm | 9h | 64% | 8 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 27° | 17° | 11d·105mm | 10h | 65% | 9 | Very busy | Peak |
| 30° | 20° | 10d·105mm | 10h | 64% | 9 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 29° | 20° | 10d·105mm | 9h | 67% | 8 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| September (Best) | 25° | 16° | 9d·100mm | 8.5h | 68% | 7 | Busy | Peak |
| October (Best) | 19° | 10° | 9d·95mm | 8h | 65% | 5 | Busy | Shoulder |
| 12° | 5° | 10d·95mm | 6h | 65% | 3 | Busy | Peak | |
| 6° | 0° | 10d·90mm | 5h | 64% | 1 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
New York March Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is March a good time to visit New York?
New York in March is Average. Tourist crowds are moderate and flight/hotel prices are shoulder.
What's the average temperature in New York in March?
New York March averages a high of 11°C and a low of 2°C.
Does it rain much in New York in March?
New York March averages 95mm of rainfall over about 12 rainy days.
What should I wear in New York in March?
Light to medium jacket, sweater layers. Late March can hit 17°C / 63°F daytime but mornings still cool (4-7°C / 39-45°F). Light scarf for evenings.
What time are sunrise and sunset in New York in March?
New York March sunrise is 06:18 and sunset is 19:00, with 12h 42m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in New York in March?
New York March air quality (AQI) averages 45, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 19μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in New York in March?
In March, New York is great for St. Patrick's Day Parade, Brooklyn Botanic Garden cherry blossoms, Outdoor walks resumption.
Is March peak season in New York?
New York March crowds are moderate and prices are shoulder. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit New York
View Other Months
Planning a March trip to New York?
You've checked the weather — next come the budget and the route.
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.