Early spring · Weather & things to do
Fairbanks in March
Fairbanks sees its driest month, with just 0.8 in (20 mm) of rain or snow, highs of 19°F (-7°C) and lows of 1°F (-17°C).
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 53/100, 6th of 12.
- Avg high
- 19°F (-7°C)
- Avg low
- 1°F (-17°C)
- Rain or snow
- 0.8 in (20 mm)
- Humidity
- 94%
- Cloud cover
- 51%
- Daylight
- ~11 h 12 min
- Comfort score
- 53/100 · Fair
What March feels like
Real cold sets in, with afternoon highs around 19°F (-7°C).
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 1°F (-17°C), so expect frost and ice.
Precipitation is light, about 0.8 in (20 mm) of rain or snow, and since the average temperature is below freezing, what does fall may well be snow.
Plan around March
March sits mid-table; the best months are May – August.
- Comfort improves from 50/100 in February to 53/100.
- March sits inside the Dec – Mar window our Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage route recommends.
What to pack for March
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 1°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Fairbanks in March
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Fairbanks Depot
Alaska Railroad station on the edge of town, where the Aurora Winter Train leaves for Talkeetna and Anchorage.
Santa Claus House
Christmas store in North Pole, open since the 1950s, with a giant Santa outside and letters from Santa you can order.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 19°F.
Museum of the North
University of Alaska museum on a hill above Fairbanks, with Alaska Native art, natural history and a mummified steppe bison.
Why now A way to spend part of a cold day out of the wind.
Cleary Summit
High pass on the Steese Highway north of Fairbanks, away from city lights, with wide views of the northern sky.
Nearby in March
- Chena Hot Springs in March~51 mi · highs 17°F, 0.9 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Talkeetna in March~189 mi · highs 29°F, 1.8 in rain or snow · 6°C (11°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Anchorage in March~260 mi · highs 31°F, 1.5 in rain or snow · 7°C (12°F) warmer by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~367 m to Fairbanks's ~136 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Fairbanks in March: quick answers
Is March a good time to visit Fairbanks?
It's middling, scoring 53/100. The best months are May – August, at up to 82. Expect highs of 19°F (-7°C) and 0.8 in (20 mm) of rain or snow. March is inside the Dec – Mar window our Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage route recommends.
How cold is Fairbanks in March?
Average highs are 19°F (-7°C) and average lows 1°F (-17°C), making it the 5th-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Fairbanks in March?
Not much: about 0.8 in (20 mm) of rain or snow falls across March on average, the driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 21.9 in (556 mm).
What should I pack for Fairbanks in March?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 1°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Fairbanks
Routes in season in March
- Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage Dec – Mar
Planning Fairbanks in March?
Share this March plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.