Manchester in March

In March, Manchester averages 10°C (50°F) during the day and 3°C (37°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 16 days of the month see precipitation (97 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 Manchester. If your dates are flexible, consider a different time of year.

10°C
Avg high
3°C
Avg low
16
Rain days
97 mm
Rainfall

How March compares to the rest of the year in Manchester

9th
warmest month of the 12
8th
wettest month of the 12
8%
of yearly rainfall falls in March
11 h 47 min
daylight on the 15th

March is in the middle of the year for warmth in Manchester (9th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (8th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 4°C below the annual average (13°C). March runs 2°C warmer than February (8°C) and warms a further 3°C into April (13°C).

March sunrise & sunset in Manchester

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:24 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:11 PM
Day length
11 h 47 min

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

Photography light in Manchester — March

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:24 AM – 6:04 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:04 AM – 7:04 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:31 PM – 6:31 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:31 PM – 7:11 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Poor
Core barely rises (or hasn't yet returned for the season). Consider a different month.

📅 When to book — Manchester 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 Manchester'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 Manchester

Shoulder

Manchester 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 Manchester

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
6.2
High
Cover up and apply SPF 30+ for any outdoor activity longer than 30 minutes.
🦟 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.

Manchester in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 7°C / 45°F 2°C / 36°F 104 mm 19
February 8°C / 47°F 2°C / 36°F 94 mm 16
March 10°C / 50°F 3°C / 37°F 97 mm 16
April 13°C / 55°F 4°C / 39°F 55 mm 11
May 16°C / 60°F 8°C / 46°F 74 mm 15
June 19°C / 66°F 11°C / 51°F 88 mm 15
July 20°C / 68°F 13°C / 55°F 108 mm 18
August 19°C / 67°F 12°C / 54°F 116 mm 18
September 18°C / 64°F 10°C / 51°F 85 mm 13
October 14°C / 57°F 8°C / 47°F 111 mm 17
November 10°C / 50°F 5°C / 41°F 102 mm 17
December 8°C / 47°F 3°C / 38°F 117 mm 18

Other cities with similar March weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Manchester in March?

In March, Manchester averages a high of 10°C (50°F) and a low of 3°C (37°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in Manchester in March?

March is quite rainy in Manchester, with about 16 rainy days on average.

Is March a good time to visit Manchester?

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

What should I pack for Manchester in March?

Pack a warm jacket and layers, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full March packing list for Manchester for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Manchester on the interactive map

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