New York in March

In March, New York averages 11°C (52°F) during the day and 2°C (36°F) at night, with around 11 days of rain (109 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.

March in New York 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.).

11°C
Avg high
2°C
Avg low
11
Rain days
109 mm
Rainfall
2
Snow days

How March compares to the rest of the year in New York

9th
warmest month of the 12
2nd
wettest month of the 12
9%
of yearly rainfall falls in March
11 h 54 min
daylight on the 15th

March is in the middle of the year for warmth in New York (9th of 12) and one of the wettest months (2nd of 12). Daytime temperature runs 6°C below the annual average (17°C). March runs 5°C warmer than February (6°C) and warms a further 6°C into April (17°C).

March sunrise & sunset in New York

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:07 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
7:02 PM
Day length
11 h 54 min

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

Photography light in New York — March

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:07 AM – 6:47 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:47 AM – 7:47 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
6:22 PM – 7:22 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
7:22 PM – 8:02 PM

📅 When to book — New York 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 New York'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 New York

Shoulder

New York 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 New York

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
8.7
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.

Sea temperature in New York — March

6.6°C (44°F)
freezing
polar plunge only — risk of cold shock

Across the year New York's sea swings from 4.9°C (February) to 23.5°C (July) — March sits at 6.6°C.

New York in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 4°C / 39°F -3°C / 27°F 84 mm 11 4
February 6°C / 43°F -2°C / 28°F 78 mm 10 3
March 11°C / 52°F 2°C / 36°F 109 mm 11 2
April 17°C / 63°F 7°C / 45°F 105 mm 11 0
May 22°C / 72°F 13°C / 55°F 102 mm 11 0
June 27°C / 81°F 18°C / 64°F 99 mm 10 0
July 30°C / 86°F 21°C / 70°F 117 mm 11 0
August 29°C / 84°F 21°C / 70°F 113 mm 10 0
September 25°C / 77°F 17°C / 63°F 99 mm 9 0
October 18°C / 64°F 11°C / 52°F 102 mm 9 0
November 13°C / 55°F 6°C / 43°F 96 mm 10 1
December 7°C / 45°F 0°C / 32°F 102 mm 11 3

Other cities with similar March weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is New York in March?

In March, New York averages a high of 11°C (52°F) and a low of 2°C (36°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in New York in March?

March can be fairly wet in New York, with about 11 rainy days on average and roughly 2 snow days.

Is March a good time to visit New York?

March is cool. 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 New York in March?

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

Open New York on the interactive map

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