Philadelphia in March

In March, Philadelphia averages 11°C (52°F) during the day and 1°C (34°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 15 days of the month see precipitation (101 mm total).

Shoulder

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

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

11°C
Avg high
1°C
Avg low
15
Rain days
101 mm
Rainfall

How March compares to the rest of the year in Philadelphia

9th
warmest month of the 12
6th
wettest month of the 12
8%
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 Philadelphia (9th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (6th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 7°C below the annual average (18°C). March runs 4°C warmer than February (7°C) and warms a further 6°C into April (17°C).

March sunrise & sunset in Philadelphia

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:12 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
7:06 PM
Day length
11 h 54 min

Times shown for Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia — March

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:12 AM – 6:52 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:52 AM – 7:52 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
6:26 PM – 7:26 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
7:26 PM – 8:06 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Fair
Core only briefly above the horizon — a marginal month even from dark sites near Philadelphia.

📅 When to book — Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia'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 Philadelphia

Shoulder

Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
8.8
Very high
Limit sun exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM; SPF 30-50, reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
🦟 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.

Philadelphia in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 5°C / 41°F -3°C / 26°F 83 mm 14
February 7°C / 45°F -2°C / 28°F 96 mm 14
March 11°C / 52°F 1°C / 34°F 101 mm 15
April 17°C / 63°F 7°C / 44°F 106 mm 17
May 23°C / 73°F 13°C / 55°F 108 mm 17
June 28°C / 82°F 18°C / 64°F 107 mm 17
July 30°C / 87°F 21°C / 70°F 123 mm 19
August 29°C / 85°F 20°C / 68°F 106 mm 18
September 26°C / 79°F 17°C / 62°F 101 mm 14
October 20°C / 67°F 11°C / 51°F 106 mm 15
November 13°C / 55°F 4°C / 38°F 79 mm 11
December 8°C / 47°F 0°C / 33°F 111 mm 12

Other cities with similar March weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Philadelphia in March?

In March, Philadelphia averages a high of 11°C (52°F) and a low of 1°C (34°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in Philadelphia in March?

March is quite rainy in Philadelphia, with about 15 rainy days on average.

Is March a good time to visit Philadelphia?

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 Philadelphia in March?

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

Open Philadelphia on the interactive map

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