Fairbanks in March

In March, Fairbanks averages -3°C (26°F) during the day and -13°C (8°F) at night, with around 9 days of rain (14 mm total).

Off-peak

Conditions are deeply cold — proper winter gear is essential. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

March in Fairbanks 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.).

-3°C
Avg high
-13°C
Avg low
9
Rain days
14 mm
Rainfall

How March compares to the rest of the year in Fairbanks

8th
warmest month of the 12
12th
wettest month of the 12
3%
of yearly rainfall falls in March
11 h 41 min
daylight on the 15th

March is in the middle of the year for warmth in Fairbanks (8th of 12) and one of the driest months (12th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 7°C below the annual average (4°C). March runs 8°C warmer than February (-11°C) and warms a further 10°C into April (6°C).

March sunrise & sunset in Fairbanks

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
8:09 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
7:50 PM
Day length
11 h 41 min

Times shown for Fairbanks 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 Fairbanks — March

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
7:09 AM – 7:49 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
7:49 AM – 8:49 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
7:10 PM – 8:10 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
8:10 PM – 8:50 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Poor
Core barely rises (or hasn't yet returned for the season). Consider a different month.
Aurora visibility
Good
Fairbanks is auroral-friendly this month; check 3-day Kp forecasts and head somewhere dark when activity spikes.

📅 When to book — Fairbanks 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 Fairbanks'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 Fairbanks

Off-peak

This is off-peak for Fairbanks — 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 Fairbanks

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
3.8
Moderate
Use SPF 15-30 for prolonged outdoor exposure; sunglasses recommended at peak hours.
🦟 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.

🥶 Bitter cold — Fairbanks in March

Snow days (typical)
0
days/month
Avg low
-13°C
8°F
Avg day high
-3°C
26°F

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

Fairbanks in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January -14°C / 6°F -21°C / -5°F 13 mm 10
February -11°C / 13°F -19°C / -2°F 20 mm 11
March -3°C / 26°F -13°C / 8°F 14 mm 9
April 6°C / 44°F -5°C / 23°F 16 mm 10
May 16°C / 61°F 5°C / 41°F 30 mm 15
June 21°C / 69°F 11°C / 52°F 62 mm 19
July 22°C / 71°F 13°C / 55°F 74 mm 18
August 18°C / 64°F 10°C / 50°F 88 mm 20
September 12°C / 53°F 4°C / 39°F 49 mm 16
October 2°C / 35°F -4°C / 25°F 29 mm 13
November -8°C / 17°F -14°C / 7°F 24 mm 13
December -12°C / 10°F -19°C / -2°F 27 mm 13

Other cities with similar March weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Fairbanks in March?

In March, Fairbanks averages a high of -3°C (26°F) and a low of -13°C (8°F) — generally cold.

Does it rain a lot in Fairbanks in March?

March sees occasional rain in Fairbanks, with about 9 rainy days on average.

Is March a good time to visit Fairbanks?

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 Fairbanks in March?

Pack heavy winter layers, a coat, hat and gloves. See the full March packing list for Fairbanks for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Fairbanks on the interactive map

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