Pretoria in March

In March, Pretoria averages 26°C (79°F) during the day and 15°C (59°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 17 days of the month see precipitation (85 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are warm and beach-friendly. Expect daily rain or showers, often in heavy bursts.

March offers comfortable temperatures in Pretoria, with some rain to plan around.

26°C
Avg high
15°C
Avg low
17
Rain days
85 mm
Rainfall

How March compares to the rest of the year in Pretoria

7th
warmest month of the 12
5th
wettest month of the 12
14%
of yearly rainfall falls in March
12 h 16 min
daylight on the 15th

March is in the middle of the year for warmth in Pretoria (7th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (5th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C above the annual average (25°C). March runs 1°C cooler than February (27°C) and cools 3°C in April (24°C).

March sunrise & sunset in Pretoria

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:08 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:24 PM
Day length
12 h 16 min

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

Photography light in Pretoria — March

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:08 AM – 5:48 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
5:48 AM – 6:48 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:44 PM – 6:44 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:44 PM – 7:24 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Fair
Core only briefly above the horizon — a marginal month even from dark sites near Pretoria.

📅 When to book — Pretoria 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 Pretoria'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 Pretoria

Shoulder

Pretoria 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 Pretoria

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
11.6
Extreme
Stay indoors during midday hours; SPF 50+ even briefly outside, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses essential.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●●●
Severe
Severe mosquito season with active disease transmission risk. DEET 30%+, picaridin 20%, long sleeves day and night, treated nets, and check CDC/WHO travel advisories before going.

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.

Pretoria in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 28°C / 82°F 17°C / 62°F 96 mm 20
February 27°C / 81°F 17°C / 62°F 105 mm 20
March 26°C / 79°F 15°C / 59°F 85 mm 17
April 24°C / 74°F 12°C / 54°F 41 mm 12
May 22°C / 71°F 9°C / 49°F 16 mm 6
June 19°C / 67°F 6°C / 43°F 3 mm 2
July 19°C / 67°F 6°C / 42°F 5 mm 2
August 23°C / 73°F 8°C / 47°F 3 mm 3
September 27°C / 81°F 12°C / 53°F 13 mm 5
October 28°C / 83°F 14°C / 57°F 41 mm 11
November 28°C / 82°F 15°C / 59°F 77 mm 18
December 28°C / 82°F 16°C / 62°F 115 mm 20

Other cities with similar March weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Pretoria in March?

In March, Pretoria averages a high of 26°C (79°F) and a low of 15°C (59°F) — generally warm.

Does it rain a lot in Pretoria in March?

March is quite rainy in Pretoria, with about 17 rainy days on average.

Is March a good time to visit Pretoria?

March is warm but on the rainy side. It suits travelers who are comfortable with warm weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Pretoria in March?

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

Open Pretoria on the interactive map

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