Pittsburgh in March

In March, Pittsburgh averages 10°C (50°F) during the day and -1°C (31°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 19 days of the month see precipitation (100 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Expect daily rain or showers, often in heavy bursts.

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

10°C
Avg high
-1°C
Avg low
19
Rain days
100 mm
Rainfall

How March compares to the rest of the year in Pittsburgh

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 Pittsburgh (9th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (6th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 6°C below the annual average (17°C). March runs 4°C warmer than February (6°C) and warms a further 6°C into April (16°C).

March sunrise & sunset in Pittsburgh

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:31 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
7:26 PM
Day length
11 h 54 min

Times shown for Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh — March

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:31 AM – 7:11 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
7:11 AM – 8:11 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
6:46 PM – 7:46 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
7:46 PM – 8:26 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Fair
Core only briefly above the horizon — a marginal month even from dark sites near Pittsburgh.

📅 When to book — Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh'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 Pittsburgh

Shoulder

Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh

☀️ 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
●●○○○
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.

🌬 Frosty nights — Pittsburgh in March

Snow days (typical)
0
days/month
Avg low
-1°C
31°F
Avg day high
10°C
50°F

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

Pittsburgh in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 3°C / 37°F -6°C / 21°F 87 mm 19
February 6°C / 42°F -5°C / 24°F 111 mm 17
March 10°C / 50°F -1°C / 31°F 100 mm 19
April 16°C / 62°F 5°C / 41°F 122 mm 20
May 22°C / 71°F 12°C / 53°F 124 mm 19
June 26°C / 79°F 16°C / 61°F 160 mm 21
July 28°C / 83°F 19°C / 65°F 113 mm 23
August 27°C / 81°F 18°C / 64°F 111 mm 21
September 25°C / 76°F 15°C / 58°F 94 mm 16
October 18°C / 64°F 9°C / 48°F 110 mm 17
November 10°C / 51°F 2°C / 35°F 73 mm 14
December 6°C / 44°F -1°C / 30°F 94 mm 16

Other cities with similar March weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Pittsburgh in March?

In March, Pittsburgh averages a high of 10°C (50°F) and a low of -1°C (31°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in Pittsburgh in March?

March is quite rainy in Pittsburgh, with about 19 rainy days on average.

Is March a good time to visit Pittsburgh?

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 Pittsburgh in March?

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

Open Pittsburgh on the interactive map

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