Manawatu Weather in March

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Manawatu, New Zealand in March.

Thinking about venturing to Manawatu, New Zealand this March and curious about the weather conditions to expect? This page holds all the key information you seek, responding to your question:

What to Expect in Manawatu in March

Manawatu, New Zealand is a region in New Zealand. March in Manawatu generally has pleasant temperatures, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to high. March is a summer month.

Temperatures

The average maximum temperatures are pleasant and range from 19°C (66°F) in National Park to 21°C (70°F) in Feilding. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 12°C (54°F) in Feilding and 9°C (48°F) in National Park.

To explore the conditions in Manawatu, New Zealand in more detail, check the map below.

Precipitation

In March, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Feilding with an average of 69 mm (2.7 in) to high rainfall in National Park with 112 mm (4.4 in). Based on climate data from the last 30 years, Palmerston North typically sees the least rain in this month, making it the driest month of the year.

Average sunshine

Most areas see decent amounts of sunshine this month. Palmerston North gets around 172 hours of sunlight, providing a pleasant balance of sun and clouds. If you'd prefer more guaranteed sunshine, our weather planner can show you sunnier spots around the world.

Explore Manawatu by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Manawatu — and find the best time to visit. (based on Palmerston North)

Best Places to Visit in Manawatu in March

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Manawatu.

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).

Popular Destinations in Manawatu

What is the weather like in March for some of the most popular destinations in Manawatu, New Zealand?

Temperature range in Manawatu (March)

Precipitation variation in Manawatu (March)

Palmerston North

In March Palmerston North generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 21°C (70°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 12°C (54°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

February
March
April
Max temperature
23°C (73°F)
21°C (70°F)
18°C (64°F)
Min temperature
13°C (55°F)
12°C (54°F)
9°C (48°F)
Monthly sun hours
189 hours
172 hours
147 hours
Monthly rainfall
85 mm (3.3 in)
72 mm (2.8 in)
95 mm (3.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
8 days
11 days
12 days
Weather conditions

Whanganui

In March Whanganui generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 21°C (70°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 14°C (57°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

February
March
April
Max temperature
22°C (72°F)
21°C (70°F)
18°C (64°F)
Min temperature
15°C (59°F)
14°C (57°F)
12°C (54°F)
Monthly sun hours
189 hours
172 hours
147 hours
Monthly rainfall
78 mm (3.1 in)
73 mm (2.9 in)
104 mm (4.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
8 days
11 days
11 days
Weather conditions

Ohakune

In March Ohakune generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 19°C (66°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 9°C (48°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

February
March
April
Max temperature
21°C (70°F)
19°C (66°F)
16°C (61°F)
Min temperature
11°C (52°F)
9°C (48°F)
7°C (45°F)
Monthly sun hours
205 hours
180 hours
160 hours
Monthly rainfall
107 mm (4.2 in)
94 mm (3.7 in)
120 mm (4.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
10 days
12 days
13 days
Weather conditions

Levin

In March Levin generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 20°C (68°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 12°C (54°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

February
March
April
Max temperature
21°C (70°F)
20°C (68°F)
18°C (64°F)
Min temperature
14°C (57°F)
12°C (54°F)
10°C (50°F)
Monthly sun hours
189 hours
172 hours
147 hours
Monthly rainfall
110 mm (4.3 in)
95 mm (3.7 in)
122 mm (4.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
11 days
11 days
Weather conditions

Taumarunui

In March Taumarunui generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 21°C (70°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 11°C (52°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

February
March
April
Max temperature
23°C (73°F)
21°C (70°F)
18°C (64°F)
Min temperature
13°C (55°F)
11°C (52°F)
8°C (46°F)
Monthly sun hours
205 hours
180 hours
160 hours
Monthly rainfall
117 mm (4.6 in)
102 mm (4 in)
131 mm (5.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
10 days
12 days
13 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Manawatu, in New Zealand.

Popular cities in March

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Manawatu in March.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Palmerston North 21°C (70°F) 12°C (54°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Whanganui 21°C (70°F) 14°C (57°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Ohakune 19°C (66°F) 9°C (48°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Levin 20°C (68°F) 12°C (54°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Taumarunui 21°C (70°F) 11°C (52°F) 102 mm (4 in)
National Park 19°C (66°F) 9°C (48°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)

Manawatu weather in March: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Manawatu, New Zealand in March?

March in Manawatu, New Zealand brings perfect weather. In Palmerston North, daytime temperatures are typically around 21°C (70°F) and nighttime lows hover near 12°C (54°F).

What is the average temperature in Manawatu, New Zealand in March?

Daytime temperatures in Palmerston North peak at roughly 21°C (70°F) in March, dropping to about 12°C (54°F) overnight.

Does Manawatu, New Zealand get a lot of rain in March?

March is on the drier side in Manawatu, New Zealand. Palmerston North averages only about 72 mm (2.8 in), with most days staying dry.

Is March a Good Time to Visit Manawatu, New Zealand?

We consider March to be one of the best times to travel to Manawatu, New Zealand. Typically, the climate in Palmerston North is perfect. It's worth noting that weather conditions might differ depending on the location you visit.

Generally speaking, January, February and March provide perfect weather in Palmerston North. The weather in July, on the other hand, tends to be poor.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Manawatu.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to New Zealand? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in New Zealand.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

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