Anchorage in March

In March, Anchorage averages 1°C (33°F) during the day and -7°C (19°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 14 days of the month see precipitation (41 mm total).

Off-peak

Conditions are cold — pack winter layers. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.

March is one of the wetter and less comfortable months in Anchorage. If your dates are flexible, consider a different time of year.

1°C
Avg high
-7°C
Avg low
14
Rain days
41 mm
Rainfall

How March compares to the rest of the year in Anchorage

8th
warmest month of the 12
12th
wettest month of the 12
5%
of yearly rainfall falls in March
11 h 44 min
daylight on the 15th

March is in the middle of the year for warmth in Anchorage (8th of 12) and one of the driest months (12th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 6°C below the annual average (7°C). March runs 4°C warmer than February (-4°C) and warms a further 7°C into April (7°C).

March sunrise & sunset in Anchorage

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
8:16 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
8:00 PM
Day length
11 h 44 min

Times shown for Anchorage local time (America/Anchorage), calculated for the 15th of March. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Anchorage — March

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of March, in Anchorage's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
7:16 AM – 7:56 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
7:56 AM – 8:56 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
7:20 PM – 8:20 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
8:20 PM – 9:00 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Poor
Core barely rises (or hasn't yet returned for the season). Consider a different month.
Aurora visibility
Good
Anchorage is auroral-friendly this month; check 3-day Kp forecasts and head somewhere dark when activity spikes.

📅 When to book — Anchorage in March

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on March's tier (Off-peak) and Anchorage's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
3-6 weeks
Cheapest flights of the year. Last-minute deals are real if you can be flexible.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
2-4 weeks
Last-minute bookings work fine. Some seasonal properties close — call ahead if it's a small boutique or beach resort.

Crowds & pricing — March in Anchorage

Off-peak

This is off-peak for Anchorage — the lowest prices of the year and the fewest crowds, but with real trade-offs: some restaurants, hotels, and beach businesses may close for the season; weather conditions can make outdoor activities unpredictable; and a handful of seasonal sights run reduced hours or close entirely. Great if you prefer a quiet local rhythm and don't mind the climate giving you reasons to choose indoor activities.

Why this tier: challenging tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — March in Anchorage

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
4.6
Moderate
Use SPF 15-30 for prolonged outdoor exposure; sunglasses recommended at peak hours.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●○○○
Low
Mosquitoes present but manageable. Pack repellent (DEET 10-20%) for evenings near water.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

🥶 Bitter cold — Anchorage in March

Snow days (typical)
0
days/month
Avg low
-7°C
19°F
Avg day high
1°C
33°F

Gear: Snow rare but air is freezing. Insulated coat, hat, and gloves still required — wind chill is the real enemy.

Anchorage in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January -5°C / 23°F -10°C / 14°F 58 mm 18
February -4°C / 25°F -9°C / 15°F 59 mm 17
March 1°C / 33°F -7°C / 19°F 41 mm 14
April 7°C / 45°F -2°C / 29°F 34 mm 15
May 14°C / 57°F 5°C / 41°F 46 mm 18
June 18°C / 65°F 10°C / 50°F 51 mm 18
July 20°C / 67°F 12°C / 54°F 96 mm 19
August 18°C / 64°F 11°C / 52°F 118 mm 21
September 13°C / 55°F 6°C / 44°F 127 mm 21
October 6°C / 42°F 0°C / 33°F 91 mm 18
November -2°C / 28°F -7°C / 20°F 78 mm 19
December -4°C / 24°F -9°C / 15°F 80 mm 19

Other cities with similar March weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Anchorage in March →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Anchorage in March?

In March, Anchorage averages a high of 1°C (33°F) and a low of -7°C (19°F) — generally cold.

Does it rain a lot in Anchorage in March?

March can be fairly wet in Anchorage, with about 14 rainy days on average.

Is March a good time to visit Anchorage?

March is cold but on the rainy side. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cold weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Anchorage in March?

Pack heavy winter layers, a coat, hat and gloves, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full March packing list for Anchorage for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Anchorage on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.