Early spring · Weather & things to do
Downtown Raleigh in March
Downtown Raleigh warms up: highs climb to 60°F (16°C), from 52°F in February, with lows of 38°F (3°C) and about 3.8 in (96 mm) of rain.
It scores 79/100 for comfort, 5th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 60°F (16°C)
- Avg low
- 38°F (3°C)
- Rain
- 3.8 in (96 mm)
- Humidity
- 78%
- Cloud cover
- 54%
- Daylight
- ~11 h 44 min
- Comfort score
- 79/100 · Great
What March feels like
Days are mild at around 60°F (16°C): comfortable for walking all day, with a layer for the evening.
Mornings start much cooler: lows average 38°F (3°C), about 12°C (22°F) below the afternoon high.
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 3.8 in (96 mm).
Plan around March
March is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (April and October & November).
- Comfort improves from 67/100 in February to 79/100.
- Our Raleigh New Year's Eve route is planned for Dec 30 – Jan 1, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — March falls outside it.
What to pack for March
- A warm layer for eveningsnights drop to 38°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 3.8 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Downtown Raleigh in March
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
First Night Raleigh and the Acorn Drop
Artsplosure's New Year's Eve festival on Fayetteville Street, ending with the copper acorn lowered over City Plaza and fireworks.
Why now March scores 79/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Bida Manda
Laotian restaurant run by a brother and sister since 2012, known for crispy pork belly soup and lemongrass dishes.
Angus Barn
Big red-barn steakhouse by the airport since 1960, with a deep wine cellar and a famously busy New Year's Eve.
The Raleigh Times Bar
Bar in the 1906 building of the old Raleigh Times newspaper, with a rooftop patio a block from City Plaza.
Why now Highs near 60°F and 3.8 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Nearby in March
- Uptown Charlotte in March~130 mi · highs 62°F, 3.7 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Richmond in March~139 mi · highs 57°F, 3.5 in rain · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Williamsburg in March~149 mi · highs 57°F, 3.4 in rain · 2°C (4°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Ocracoke in March~156 mi · highs 61°F, 3.7 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
These averages also cover Dix Park & West Raleigh.
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.
Downtown Raleigh in March: quick answers
Is March a good time to visit Downtown Raleigh?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 79/100 against a best of 89 in April and October & November. Expect highs of 60°F (16°C) and 3.8 in (96 mm) of rain.
How cold is Downtown Raleigh in March?
Average highs are 60°F (16°C) and average lows 38°F (3°C), making it the 4th-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Downtown Raleigh in March?
Some: about 3.8 in (96 mm) of rain falls across March on average, the 6th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 46.7 in (1187 mm).
What should I pack for Downtown Raleigh in March?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 38°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 3.8 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Downtown Raleigh
Planning Downtown Raleigh in March?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.