Boston in March

In March, Boston averages 7°C (45°F) during the day and -1°C (30°F) at night, with around 11 days of rain (104 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cold — pack winter layers. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear. Snowfall occurs on roughly 5 days.

March in Boston is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).

7°C
Avg high
-1°C
Avg low
11
Rain days
104 mm
Rainfall
5
Snow days

How March compares to the rest of the year in Boston

9th
warmest month of the 12
2nd
wettest month of the 12
9%
of yearly rainfall falls in March
11 h 54 min
daylight on the 15th

March is in the middle of the year for warmth in Boston (9th of 12) and one of the wettest months (2nd of 12). Daytime temperature runs 8°C below the annual average (15°C). March runs 4°C warmer than February (3°C) and warms a further 7°C into April (14°C).

March sunrise & sunset in Boston

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:56 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:50 PM
Day length
11 h 54 min

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

Photography light in Boston — March

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:56 AM – 6:36 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:36 AM – 7:36 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
6:10 PM – 7:10 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
7:10 PM – 7:50 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Poor
Core barely rises (or hasn't yet returned for the season). Consider a different month.

📅 When to book — Boston 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 (Shoulder) and Boston's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.

Crowds & pricing — March in Boston

Shoulder

Boston is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Sun & mosquito risk — March in Boston

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
8.4
Very high
Limit sun exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM; SPF 30-50, reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●○○○○
Minimal
Occasional mosquitoes possible near standing water. Repellent rarely needed.

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.

🌨 Some snow — Boston in March

Snow days (typical)
5
days/month
Avg low
-1°C
30°F
Avg day high
7°C
45°F

Gear: Occasional snow, often slushy by afternoon. Waterproof boots, warm coat, hat and gloves.

Sea temperature in Boston — March

4.6°C (40°F)
freezing
polar plunge only — risk of cold shock

Across the year Boston's sea swings from 3.5°C (February) to 19.6°C (August) — March sits at 4.6°C.

Boston in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 2°C / 36°F -6°C / 21°F 88 mm 10 10
February 3°C / 37°F -5°C / 23°F 88 mm 10 9
March 7°C / 45°F -1°C / 30°F 104 mm 11 5
April 14°C / 57°F 4°C / 39°F 92 mm 11 1
May 19°C / 66°F 9°C / 48°F 88 mm 11 0
June 25°C / 77°F 15°C / 59°F 95 mm 11 0
July 28°C / 82°F 18°C / 64°F 84 mm 9 0
August 27°C / 81°F 17°C / 63°F 94 mm 9 0
September 23°C / 73°F 13°C / 55°F 85 mm 9 0
October 17°C / 63°F 7°C / 45°F 96 mm 10 0
November 11°C / 52°F 2°C / 36°F 108 mm 11 1
December 5°C / 41°F -3°C / 27°F 106 mm 12 7

Other cities with similar March weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Boston in March?

In March, Boston averages a high of 7°C (45°F) and a low of -1°C (30°F) — generally cold.

Does it rain a lot in Boston in March?

March can be fairly wet in Boston, with about 11 rainy days on average and roughly 5 snow days.

Is March a good time to visit Boston?

March is cold. 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 Boston 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 Boston for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Boston on the interactive map

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