Ketchikan in March

In March, Ketchikan averages 6°C (43°F) during the day and 0°C (33°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 21 days of the month see precipitation (255 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cold — pack winter layers. Expect daily rain or showers, often in heavy bursts.

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

6°C
Avg high
0°C
Avg low
21
Rain days
255 mm
Rainfall

How March compares to the rest of the year in Ketchikan

8th
warmest month of the 12
8th
wettest month of the 12
8%
of yearly rainfall falls in March
11 h 48 min
daylight on the 15th

March is in the middle of the year for warmth in Ketchikan (8th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (8th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 4°C below the annual average (10°C). March runs 2°C warmer than February (4°C) and warms a further 3°C into April (9°C).

March sunrise & sunset in Ketchikan

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:01 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:49 PM
Day length
11 h 48 min

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

Photography light in Ketchikan — March

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:01 AM – 6:41 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:41 AM – 7:41 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
6:09 PM – 7:09 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
7:09 PM – 7:49 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Poor
Core barely rises (or hasn't yet returned for the season). Consider a different month.
Aurora visibility
Fair
Aurora is possible from Ketchikan but requires a strong geomagnetic event (Kp 5+) plus clear skies — chase nights, don't count on them.

📅 When to book — Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan'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 Ketchikan

Shoulder

Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
5.8
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.

Ketchikan in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 4°C / 39°F 0°C / 32°F 366 mm 23
February 4°C / 38°F -1°C / 30°F 251 mm 19
March 6°C / 43°F 0°C / 33°F 255 mm 21
April 9°C / 49°F 3°C / 38°F 281 mm 23
May 14°C / 58°F 8°C / 46°F 151 mm 19
June 16°C / 61°F 10°C / 50°F 174 mm 22
July 19°C / 65°F 13°C / 55°F 179 mm 22
August 18°C / 65°F 13°C / 55°F 283 mm 21
September 15°C / 59°F 10°C / 50°F 343 mm 22
October 10°C / 51°F 6°C / 43°F 372 mm 23
November 6°C / 43°F 2°C / 36°F 401 mm 25
December 3°C / 38°F -1°C / 31°F 333 mm 21

Other cities with similar March weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Ketchikan in March?

In March, Ketchikan averages a high of 6°C (43°F) and a low of 0°C (33°F) — generally cold.

Does it rain a lot in Ketchikan in March?

March is quite rainy in Ketchikan, with about 21 rainy days on average.

Is March a good time to visit Ketchikan?

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 Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Ketchikan on the interactive map

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