Seattle in March

In March, Seattle averages 11°C (52°F) during the day and 4°C (39°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 20 days of the month see precipitation (123 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 Seattle. If your dates are flexible, consider a different time of year.

11°C
Avg high
4°C
Avg low
20
Rain days
123 mm
Rainfall

How March compares to the rest of the year in Seattle

8th
warmest month of the 12
4th
wettest month of the 12
10%
of yearly rainfall falls in March
11 h 52 min
daylight on the 15th

March is in the middle of the year for warmth in Seattle (8th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (4th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 4°C below the annual average (15°C). March runs 3°C warmer than February (8°C) and warms a further 3°C into April (14°C).

March sunrise & sunset in Seattle

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:22 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
7:14 PM
Day length
11 h 52 min

Times shown for Seattle 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 Seattle — March

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:22 AM – 7:02 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
7:02 AM – 8:02 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
6:34 PM – 7:34 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
7:34 PM – 8:14 PM

📅 When to book — Seattle 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 Seattle'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 Seattle

Shoulder

Seattle 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 Seattle

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
7.4
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.

Seattle in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 8°C / 47°F 3°C / 37°F 182 mm 21
February 8°C / 46°F 2°C / 36°F 125 mm 21
March 11°C / 52°F 4°C / 39°F 123 mm 20
April 14°C / 57°F 6°C / 42°F 93 mm 19
May 18°C / 65°F 10°C / 49°F 56 mm 16
June 21°C / 70°F 12°C / 54°F 50 mm 14
July 25°C / 76°F 15°C / 58°F 16 mm 8
August 25°C / 76°F 15°C / 59°F 27 mm 10
September 20°C / 69°F 12°C / 54°F 65 mm 15
October 15°C / 59°F 9°C / 48°F 138 mm 18
November 10°C / 50°F 5°C / 41°F 178 mm 21
December 7°C / 45°F 3°C / 37°F 185 mm 20

Other cities with similar March weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Seattle in March?

In March, Seattle averages a high of 11°C (52°F) and a low of 4°C (39°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in Seattle in March?

March is quite rainy in Seattle, with about 20 rainy days on average.

Is March a good time to visit Seattle?

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 Seattle in March?

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

Open Seattle on the interactive map

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