Iqaluit in March

In March, Iqaluit averages -16°C (2°F) during the day and -23°C (-10°F) at night, with around 10 days of rain (20 mm total).

Off-peak

Conditions are deeply cold — proper winter gear is essential. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.

March in Iqaluit 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.).

-16°C
Avg high
-23°C
Avg low
10
Rain days
20 mm
Rainfall

How March compares to the rest of the year in Iqaluit

10th
warmest month of the 12
11th
wettest month of the 12
4%
of yearly rainfall falls in March
11 h 41 min
daylight on the 15th

March is one of the coolest months in Iqaluit (10th of 12) and one of the driest months (11th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 12°C below the annual average (-5°C). March runs 7°C warmer than February (-24°C) and warms a further 9°C into April (-8°C).

March sunrise & sunset in Iqaluit

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:52 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:33 PM
Day length
11 h 41 min

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

Photography light in Iqaluit — March

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:52 AM – 6:32 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:32 AM – 7:32 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:53 PM – 6:53 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:53 PM – 7:33 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Poor
Core barely rises (or hasn't yet returned for the season). Consider a different month.
Aurora visibility
Good
Iqaluit is auroral-friendly this month; check 3-day Kp forecasts and head somewhere dark when activity spikes.

📅 When to book — Iqaluit 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 Iqaluit'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 Iqaluit

Off-peak

This is off-peak for Iqaluit — 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 Iqaluit

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
4.1
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 — Iqaluit in March

Snow days (typical)
0
days/month
Avg low
-23°C
-10°F
Avg day high
-16°C
2°F

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

Iqaluit in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January -21°C / -6°F -27°C / -17°F 17 mm 12
February -24°C / -11°F -30°C / -21°F 12 mm 8
March -16°C / 2°F -23°C / -10°F 20 mm 10
April -8°C / 18°F -14°C / 6°F 27 mm 14
May 0°C / 32°F -5°C / 23°F 33 mm 15
June 7°C / 45°F 2°C / 35°F 46 mm 15
July 12°C / 54°F 6°C / 43°F 81 mm 17
August 11°C / 52°F 5°C / 41°F 87 mm 18
September 5°C / 41°F 0°C / 32°F 51 mm 15
October -1°C / 29°F -6°C / 21°F 50 mm 17
November -9°C / 16°F -15°C / 5°F 30 mm 17
December -14°C / 6°F -21°C / -6°F 27 mm 13

Other cities with similar March weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Iqaluit in March?

In March, Iqaluit averages a high of -16°C (2°F) and a low of -23°C (-10°F) — generally cold.

Does it rain a lot in Iqaluit in March?

March can be fairly wet in Iqaluit, with about 10 rainy days on average.

Is March a good time to visit Iqaluit?

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 Iqaluit 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 Iqaluit for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Iqaluit on the interactive map

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