Milwaukee in March

In March, Milwaukee averages 5°C (42°F) during the day and -2°C (28°F) at night, with around 10 days of rain (66 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cold — pack winter layers. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.

March in Milwaukee 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.).

5°C
Avg high
-2°C
Avg low
10
Rain days
66 mm
Rainfall

How March compares to the rest of the year in Milwaukee

9th
warmest month of the 12
4th
wettest month of the 12
7%
of yearly rainfall falls in March
11 h 53 min
daylight on the 15th

March is in the middle of the year for warmth in Milwaukee (9th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (4th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 8°C below the annual average (13°C). March runs 5°C warmer than February (0°C) and warms a further 5°C into April (11°C).

March sunrise & sunset in Milwaukee

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:03 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:57 PM
Day length
11 h 53 min

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

Photography light in Milwaukee — March

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:03 AM – 6:43 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:43 AM – 7:43 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
6:17 PM – 7:17 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
7:17 PM – 7:57 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Fair
Core only briefly above the horizon — a marginal month even from dark sites near Milwaukee.

📅 When to book — Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee'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 Milwaukee

Shoulder

Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
8.3
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.

🌬 Frosty nights — Milwaukee in March

Snow days (typical)
0
days/month
Avg low
-2°C
28°F
Avg day high
5°C
42°F

Gear: Cold nights, milder days. Light insulated jacket fine for daytime, real coat for after dark.

Milwaukee in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January -1°C / 30°F -8°C / 18°F 47 mm 8
February 0°C / 32°F -8°C / 17°F 49 mm 8
March 5°C / 42°F -2°C / 28°F 66 mm 10
April 11°C / 51°F 3°C / 37°F 102 mm 13
May 17°C / 63°F 9°C / 48°F 104 mm 12
June 23°C / 74°F 15°C / 59°F 113 mm 12
July 26°C / 79°F 18°C / 65°F 83 mm 10
August 26°C / 79°F 18°C / 65°F 78 mm 10
September 23°C / 73°F 16°C / 60°F 98 mm 10
October 15°C / 60°F 9°C / 48°F 108 mm 10
November 8°C / 46°F 1°C / 34°F 52 mm 7
December 3°C / 37°F -3°C / 26°F 57 mm 9

Other cities with similar March weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Milwaukee in March?

In March, Milwaukee averages a high of 5°C (42°F) and a low of -2°C (28°F) — generally cold.

Does it rain a lot in Milwaukee in March?

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

Is March a good time to visit Milwaukee?

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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Milwaukee on the interactive map

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