New York City
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New York City Weather in March

In New York City, March brings low daytime temperatures around 10°C (50°F), with nights cooling to 2°C (36°F). Expect quite a bit of rainfall this month.

Rainfall in New York City in March

You can expect rain on roughly 10 days based on historical data, averaging 101 mm (4 in) for the month. The rain this month tends to fall in heavier spells rather than light drizzle. When it rains, showers can be significant.

Temperature in New York City in March

If you're visiting New York City in March, expect highs of 10°C (50°F) and overnight lows around 2°C (36°F). Even at the warmest part of the day, temperatures stay low. Dressing warmly from the start is the sensible approach. At 2°C (36°F) overnight, it gets properly cold after dark. On the bright side, cold nights tend to make for excellent sleeping conditions.

Sunshine in New York City in March

The city usually sees around 213 hours of sunlight, indicating many sunny days despite the cool temperatures, making it a good month for sightseeing.

Wind Speed in New York City in March

March has wind speeds averaging 7 m/s (14 knots). You can expect generally windy conditions with strong breezes affecting daily routines on typical days. As an average, some days have moderate strong winds while others feature more intense gusts that make walking and movement challenging.

Average water temperature in March

At 4°C (39°F), the water is too cold for most people to swim comfortably. A wetsuit is pretty much essential if you plan to go in.

Our weather planner can help you find worldwide destinations with pleasant weather during this period. September typically offers the best weather for New York City.

New York City Temperature in March

Min Temperature
2°C (36°F)
Max Temperature
10°C (50°F)
Water Temperature
4°C (39°F)
Chance of Rain
33%
Precipitation
101 mm (4 in)
Rainy days
10 days
Humidity
58%
Windspeed
7 m/s (14 knots)
Sunshine
213 hours
Percentage Sunshine
57%

New York City Weather by Month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in New York City - and find the best time to visit.

Daily Historical Temperatures

50-year average (1976-2025)

Based on our historical records, temperatures in New York City typically rise from around 7°C (45°F) at the start of March to approximately 13°C (55°F) by the end. Nights are cold, with lows typically ranging from 0°C (32°F) to 6°C (43°F).

Average temperatures in March

Daily Historical Precipitation

50-year average (1976-2025)

Average daily rainfall for each day of the month based on long-term records.

Average precipitation in March

Historical weather records for New York City in March

Browse day-by-day weather records for New York City spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual temperatures, rainfall, and conditions recorded on each day.

New York City historical weather extremes in March

According to our 50 years of weather records for New York City, the following extremes were recorded between 1976 and 2026.

  • The hottest March day on record in New York City reached 28°C (82°F) (March 27, 1998).
  • The lowest overnight temperature recorded in March was -13°C (9°F) (March 1, 1980).

Best Places in the United States of America in March

Find out more about the weather in the United States of America and which places have the best travel conditions in this month. See all of the United States of America in March →

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

What to Wear in New York City in March

Cold weather calls for smart layering in March. A thermal base layer makes a huge difference in staying warm. Add a wool sweater or fleece, then a wind-resistant outer jacket. Prepare for significant rainfall with proper waterproof clothing and shoes. The water temperature sits at about 4°C (39°F), which is too chilly for most people to enjoy swimming. Leave the swimsuit at home unless you love cold water. Don't forget sun protection, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. These are all good ideas with this much sunshine.

What To Do in New York City in March

We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do.

  • Swimming
    4/10
  • Cycling
    4/10
  • Walking
    4/10
  • Camping
    3/10
  • Outdoor sports
    4/10

New York City 3-Day Forecast

Popular in March

Where to go in March - average daytime high across popular destinations.

Bucket list

Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.