Early spring · Weather & things to do
Chicago in March
Chicago warms up: highs climb to 41°F (5°C), from 33°F in February, with lows of 31°F (-1°C) and about 2.4 in (62 mm) of rain.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 46/100, 9th of 12.
- Avg high
- 41°F (5°C)
- Avg low
- 31°F (-1°C)
- Rain
- 2.4 in (62 mm)
- Humidity
- 82%
- Cloud cover
- 66%
- Daylight
- ~11 h 40 min
- Comfort score
- 46/100 · Fair
What March feels like
Highs only reach about 41°F (5°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 31°F (-1°C), so expect frost and ice.
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 2.4 in (62 mm).
Plan around March
March sits mid-table; the best months are July – September.
- Last month with freezing nights on average; by April, lows rise to 39°F.
- Comfort holds steady from February (45 → 46/100).
- Our Chicago & Great Lakes route recommends Jun – Sep, so March falls outside its suggested window.
- Our Chicago & Milwaukee route is planned for Late Nov – Dec 24, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — March falls outside it.
What to pack for March
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 31°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 2.4 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Chicago in March
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Au Cheval
West Loop diner known for its stacked double cheeseburger.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 41°F.
Art Institute of Chicago
Huge collection including Nighthawks, A Sunday on La Grande Jatte and the Thorne Miniature Rooms.
Green Mill Cocktail Lounge
Jazz club open since 1907, once a favorite of Al Capone, with live music nightly.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Pequod's Pizza
Pan pizza with a caramelized cheese crust; a local favorite over tourist deep-dish spots.
Why now A cozy break on a 41°F day.
Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon
A quarter-mile loop of ice winding over the hills of Maggie Daley Park, with the skyline rising behind it.
Skydeck Chicago
Glass ledges 103 floors up in Willis Tower.
Nearby in March
- Indiana Dunes in March~34 mi · highs 46°F, 2.4 in rain · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Milwaukee in March~81 mi · highs 43°F, 2.3 in rain or snow · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Holland in March~100 mi · highs 39°F, 2.5 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Broad Ripple in March~159 mi · highs 50°F, 3.5 in rain · 5°C (9°F) warmer by day, wetter
These averages also cover Lincoln Park and The Loop & Chicago River.
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Chicago in March: quick answers
Is March a good time to visit Chicago?
It's middling, scoring 46/100. The best months are July – September, at up to 85. Expect highs of 41°F (5°C) and 2.4 in (62 mm) of rain. Our Chicago & Great Lakes route recommends Jun – Sep, so March is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Chicago in March?
Average highs are 41°F (5°C) and average lows 31°F (-1°C), making it the 4th-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Chicago in March?
Some: about 2.4 in (62 mm) of rain falls across March on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 38.7 in (982 mm).
What should I pack for Chicago in March?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 31°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 2.4 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Chicago in March?
Share this March plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.