Last updated: February 24, 2025
March in New York City ushers in a delightful transition from winter to spring, showcasing temperature fluctuations that can range from a brisk minimum of -9°C (16°F) to a pleasant maximum of 25°C (77°F). With an average temperature hovering around 5°C (42°F), the month presents a mix of cool mornings and temperate afternoons. Rainfall during March totals 98 mm (3.8 in), typically spread over 10 days, contributing to the 81% humidity that envelopes the city. As New Yorkers shake off the chill, the emerging warmth and occasional showers signal the vibrant awakening of the urban landscape.
March in New York City marks a significant transition as winter gives way to early spring. With minimum temperatures averaging a chilly -9°C (16°F) and daytime highs reaching up to 25°C (77°F), this month showcases a broad temperature range that invites both the lingering cold and the promise of warmth. The average temperature settles at 5°C (42°F), indicating a gradual thaw compared to the preceding months. As the snow melts and the city begins to awaken, New Yorkers can expect a mix of brisk days and balmy afternoons, making March a delightful time to explore the city's blooming parks and vibrant streets, all while keeping an eye on the ever-changing weather.
In March, New York City experiences a transition into spring, accompanied by 98 mm (3.8 in) of precipitation over 10 days. This amount is marginally less than February's 102 mm (4.0 in), reflecting a slight easing in winter's grip as the city prepares for warmer months ahead. Notably, while the precipitation days remain consistent with February, March signals the beginning of a trend toward increased rainfall in April and May, where precipitation steadily rises to 112 mm (4.4 in) and 114 mm (4.5 in) respectively. This pattern highlights how March acts as a springboard into a wetter season, paving the way for fresh blooms and vibrant landscapes as temperatures rise.
As winter transitions to spring, March in New York City showcases a slight dip in humidity, averaging 81% compared to the higher levels of 84% and 82% in January and February, respectively. This gradual decline hints at the city's shift towards a more temperate climate, as the arrival of April brings even lower humidity levels at 78%. Such trends indicate that while the air remains relatively moist early in the year, there is a welcome reprieve in the spring months, paving the way for the warmer and drier days of summer ahead. This pattern not only reflects the changing seasons but also sets the stage for the vibrant outdoor experiences that characterize NYC's springtime.
As March approaches in New York City, the UV Index rises to 6, signaling a shift to the high exposure category and a reduced burn time of just 25 minutes. This increase from February's UV Index of 5 marks the beginning of a trend toward stronger sun intensity, which continues into the warmer months. By April, the Index jumps to 8, categorized as very high, further shortening burn time to 15 minutes, a trend that persists through the summer. As outdoor activities become more frequent with the arrival of spring, it's essential to be mindful of UV exposure. For additional UV insights and forecasts, check out New York City UV Index.
UV Risk Categories
As the winter chill begins to thaw, March ushers in a delightful increase in sunshine, with 248 hours of golden rays illuminating New York City. This marked uplift from February's 177 hours signals the transition toward spring, inviting residents to shake off the hibernation of colder months. The growing warmth continues into April and May, where sunshine peaks impressively at 271 hours, hinting at the vibrant life that blossoms around the city. The upward trend in daylight hours not only enhances the city’s enchanting atmosphere but also sparks a renewed sense of energy among New Yorkers, making March a pivotal month in the march toward summer.
As winter gives way to spring, New York City witnesses an encouraging increase in the likelihood of sunny weather, with March boasting a 57% chance of sunshine—the highest probability in the first half of the year. This leap from February's mere 31% signals a refreshing shift, as the city begins to awaken from its chilly slumber. However, April's statistics show a slight dip to 45%, suggesting that while March is typically bright, the sun's presence can be somewhat capricious in transitioning into spring. Overall, March stands out as a promising time for New Yorkers to enjoy those early rays, hinting at the allure of more sun-soaked days ahead.
March heralds a noticeable shift in daylight duration in New York City, as the city emerges from winter's grasp. With 11 hours of daylight, March marks a significant increase from February's 10 hours, signaling the approach of spring and longer days ahead. This upward trend continues into April, where daylight expands to 13 hours, hinting at the vibrant energy of the season. As we transition from the cold months, the gradual lengthening of days not only brightens the landscape but also encourages a resurgence of outdoor activities, setting the stage for the longer, sun-soaked days of summer.
As March arrives in New York City, the gentle stirring of the wind signals the transition into spring, with average wind speeds reaching 3.7 m/s (8 mph). This slight uptick from February’s 3.4 m/s adds a fresh breath of air, invigorating the city and heralding warmer days ahead. Interestingly, after this peak in March, the winds gradually ease through April to 3.4 m/s and further soften into the summer months, reflecting the seasonal shift towards calmer, balmy days. As the temperatures rise, the consistent wind speeds of between 2.5 m/s and 2.8 m/s from June through August create a pleasant atmosphere, perfect for enjoying the city’s parks and waterfronts. Overall, March’s winds serve as a lively reminder of the changing seasons and the anticipation of spring's arrival.
The weather in New York City changes throughout the year, offering a unique experience in each season. Below is a month-by-month comparison of March's weather with other months, highlighting differences in temperature, precipitation, and other key factors. Click on each section to discover seasonal trends in New York City and find detailed weather information for every month.
March generally sees milder temperatures compared to January, with average temperatures rising from January's chilly 1°C (34°F) to a more comfortable 5°C (42°F) in March. Notably, the minimum temperatures in March, while still quite cold at -9°C (16°F), are significantly warmer than January's frigid lows of -18°C (-1°F). Furthermore, March experiences slightly more precipitation, with 98 mm (3.8 in) over about 10 days compared to January's 67 mm (2.7 in) across 7 days. Humidity levels remain relatively consistent, with March at 81% and January at 84%, providing a more humid atmosphere in the early part of the year. For more detailed information, check out New York City weather in January.
March generally brings milder temperatures compared to February, with a minimum of -9°C (16°F) and an average of 5°C (42°F), contrasted with February's colder minimum of -16°C (4°F) and average of 2°C (36°F). While both months experience similar precipitation levels—98 mm (3.8 in) in March and 102 mm (4.0 in) in February—March enjoys slightly warmer maximum temperatures, reaching up to 25°C (77°F) compared to February’s highest of 20°C (68°F). Both months have a comparable humidity level, hovering around 81% in March and 82% in February. For more detailed information, you can check out New York City weather in February.
March and April present a noticeable transition in weather patterns. In March, temperatures range from a low of -9°C (16°F) to a maximum of 25°C (77°F), with an average of 5°C (42°F). The month experiences 98 mm (3.8 in) of precipitation over 10 days and has a high humidity level of 81%. In contrast, April brings milder temperatures, with a minimum of -1°C (31°F) and a maximum of 27°C (82°F), leading to an average of 11°C (52°F). This month sees a slight increase in precipitation to 112 mm (4.4 in) spread over 12 days, while humidity decreases slightly to 78%. For more details on the climate, check out New York City weather in April.
March and May exhibit contrasting weather patterns. In March, temperatures can drop as low as -9°C (16°F) but have a moderate average of 5°C (42°F), reaching a maximum of 25°C (77°F). The month sees considerable precipitation, totaling 98 mm (3.8 in) over about 10 days, accompanied by high humidity levels at 81%. In comparison, May experiences a milder climate, with minimum temperatures of 3°C (37°F) and an average of 17°C (62°F), peaking at 31°C (88°F). Although May receives slightly more precipitation at 114 mm (4.5 in) across 13 days, the humidity lowers to 69%, creating a more comfortable atmosphere. To learn more about the specific weather conditions, check out New York City weather in May.
March and June exhibit significant differences in weather patterns. March experiences a wide temperature range, with minimums dropping to -9°C (16°F) and maximums reaching up to 25°C (77°F), while the average temperature hovers around 5°C (42°F). In comparison, June offers a much warmer climate, with minimum temperatures of 10°C (50°F) and highs soaring to 35°C (94°F), resulting in a comfortable average of 22°C (72°F). Additionally, March tends to be wetter, with precipitation recorded at 98 mm (3.8 in) over 10 days, compared to June's slightly lower rainfall of 92 mm (3.6 in) spread over 13 days. Humidity is also more pronounced in March at 81%, whereas June's humidity drops to 69%. For more detailed insights about June weather, visit New York City weather in June.
March and July present stark contrasts in weather patterns. In March, temperatures range from a chilly minimum of -9°C (16°F) to a maximum of 25°C (77°F), with an average temperature of 5°C (42°F). This month also experiences significant precipitation, totaling 98 mm (3.8 in) over approximately 10 days, coupled with high humidity at 81%. In contrast, July boasts a much warmer climate, with minimum temperatures around 17°C (62°F) and maximums reaching up to 36°C (96°F), leading to an average of 26°C (78°F). Precipitation in July is also higher, at 148 mm (5.8 in) over roughly 13 days, but humidity is notably lower at 62%. For more detailed insights, you can check New York City weather in July.
March and August present quite a contrast in weather. In March, temperatures range from a chilly minimum of -9°C (16°F) to a mild maximum of 25°C (77°F), with an average of 5°C (42°F). The month sees about 98 mm (3.8 in) of precipitation across approximately 10 days, accompanied by a high humidity level of 81%. In contrast, August is significantly warmer, with minimum temperatures starting at 16°C (61°F) and peaking at 34°C (93°F), averaging around 25°C (76°F). Precipitation increases slightly to 127 mm (5.0 in) over about 14 days, but the humidity drops to a more comfortable 65%. For more detailed insights, check out New York City weather in August.
March and September exhibit notably contrasting weather patterns. In March, temperatures can dip to a chilling minimum of -9°C (16°F), while averaging around 5°C (42°F) and peaking at 25°C (77°F). This month also sees higher humidity at 81% and approximately 98 mm (3.8 in) of precipitation over 10 days. In contrast, September offers a milder climate, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 9°C (49°F) to a comfortable average of 21°C (70°F) and maximums reaching up to 33°C (92°F). The humidity drops to 68%, and precipitation is slightly lower at 92 mm (3.6 in) over 9 days. For more detailed insights, check out New York City weather in September.
March and October in New York City present distinct weather patterns that mark the transition between seasons. In March, temperatures can plunge as low as -9°C (16°F) but also reach highs of 25°C (77°F), resulting in a chilly average of 5°C (42°F). The month sees about 98 mm (3.8 in) of precipitation over approximately 10 days, with a relatively high humidity level of 81%. In contrast, October offers a milder climate, with minimum temperatures around 4°C (39°F) and highs peaking at 33°C (91°F), leading to an average of 16°C (61°F). The rainfall increases slightly to 128 mm (5.0 in) over the same number of days, and humidity decreases to 74%. For more details on October weather, you can visit New York City weather in October.
March and November present intriguing contrasts in weather patterns. In March, temperatures can fluctuate significantly, ranging from a chilly -9°C (16°F) at night to a mild 25°C (77°F) by day, with an average temperature of around 5°C (42°F). The month experiences roughly 98 mm (3.8 in) of precipitation over about 10 days, contributing to a relatively high humidity level of 81%. In contrast, November features a slightly warmer average at 8°C (47°F), with a maximum reaching 24°C (75°F) and a minimum similar to March at -9°C (17°F). Although November has less precipitation at 83 mm (3.3 in) across 8 days, the humidity remains comparable at 82%. For a more detailed understanding of November weather, check out this resource: New York City weather in November.
In comparing the weather between March and December, we observe notable differences and similarities. March tends to have a slightly milder average temperature of 5°C (42°F), with a maximum that can reach 25°C (77°F). In contrast, December's average temperature is just a tad lower at 4°C (39°F) and peaks at 18°C (64°F). Both months experience a similar number of precipitation days, around 10, with March receiving 98 mm (3.8 in) and December slightly higher at 106 mm (4.2 in). Humidity levels are relatively comparable as well, with March at 81% and December at 80%. For more detailed insights, you can explore New York City weather in December.
As March unfolds in New York City, it marks a dynamic transition from the cold grip of winter to the emerging warmth of spring. While temperatures can swing dramatically, with maximums reaching a pleasant 25°C (77°F) and minimums dipping to a brisk -9°C (16°F), this month experiences a unique blend of weather patterns. The average temperature hovers around a crisp 5°C (42°F), while the city sees around 98 mm (3.8 in) of precipitation over about 10 days, contributing to the often overcast skies. Furthermore, the humidity lingers at a notable 81%, creating a distinct atmosphere that differentiates March from the milder months ahead. To explore more about the transformative climate of New York City, check out New York City Climate.