Portland in March

In March, Portland averages 12°C (54°F) during the day and 3°C (38°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 21 days of the month see precipitation (148 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 Portland. If your dates are flexible, consider a different time of year.

12°C
Avg high
3°C
Avg low
21
Rain days
148 mm
Rainfall

How March compares to the rest of the year in Portland

8th
warmest month of the 12
2nd
wettest month of the 12
11%
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 Portland (8th of 12) and one of the wettest months (2nd of 12). Daytime temperature runs 5°C below the annual average (17°C). March runs 3°C warmer than February (9°C) and warms a further 3°C into April (15°C).

March sunrise & sunset in Portland

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:23 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
7:16 PM
Day length
11 h 53 min

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

Photography light in Portland — March

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:23 AM – 7:03 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
7:03 AM – 8:03 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
6:36 PM – 7:36 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
7:36 PM – 8:16 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Poor
Core barely rises (or hasn't yet returned for the season). Consider a different month.

📅 When to book — Portland 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 Portland'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 Portland

Shoulder

Portland 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 Portland

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
7.8
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.

Portland in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 9°C / 47°F 2°C / 36°F 170 mm 21
February 9°C / 48°F 2°C / 35°F 147 mm 20
March 12°C / 54°F 3°C / 38°F 148 mm 21
April 15°C / 60°F 6°C / 42°F 115 mm 19
May 20°C / 68°F 9°C / 49°F 71 mm 15
June 24°C / 75°F 12°C / 54°F 55 mm 12
July 29°C / 83°F 15°C / 58°F 9 mm 5
August 29°C / 84°F 15°C / 60°F 13 mm 7
September 24°C / 75°F 12°C / 54°F 61 mm 12
October 17°C / 63°F 9°C / 47°F 143 mm 17
November 11°C / 51°F 4°C / 40°F 175 mm 20
December 7°C / 45°F 2°C / 36°F 216 mm 21

Other cities with similar March weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Portland in March?

In March, Portland averages a high of 12°C (54°F) and a low of 3°C (38°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in Portland in March?

March is quite rainy in Portland, with about 21 rainy days on average.

Is March a good time to visit Portland?

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 Portland in March?

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

Open Portland on the interactive map

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