Early spring · Weather & things to do
Grand Marais in March
Grand Marais warms up: highs climb to 35°F (2°C), from 21°F in February, with lows of 18°F (-8°C) and about 1.3 in (33 mm) of rain or snow.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 48/100, 9th of 12.

- Avg high
- 35°F (2°C)
- Avg low
- 18°F (-8°C)
- Rain or snow
- 1.3 in (33 mm)
- Humidity
- 86%
- Cloud cover
- 67%
- Daylight
- ~11 h 35 min
- Comfort score
- 48/100 · Fair
What March feels like
Highs only reach about 35°F (2°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 18°F (-8°C), so expect frost and ice.
About 1.3 in (33 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with temperatures averaging below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Plan around March
March sits mid-table; the best months are June – September.
- Last dry month before the rain picks up: April brings 2.4 in (62 mm).
- Comfort holds steady from February (48 → 48/100).
- Our Minnesota North Shore route recommends Jun – Oct, so March falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for March
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 18°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 Grand Marais in March
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Sven & Ole's
Long-running pizza joint with the Pickle Herring pub attached.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 35°F.
North House Folk School
Harborfront school for traditional crafts, with short classes and sails on the schooner Hjordis.
Voyageur Brewing Company
Downtown brewery with a rooftop deck overlooking the harbor.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Judge C.R. Magney State Park
Trail to the Devil's Kettle, where half the Brule River seems to vanish into a pothole.
World's Best Donuts
Seasonal donut shop near the harbor since 1969.
Why now A cozy break on a 35°F day.
Nearby in March
- Duluth in March~106 mi · highs 36°F, 1.6 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Minneapolis in March~237 mi · highs 41°F, 1.7 in rain or snow · 4°C (6°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Door County in March~242 mi · highs 37°F, 2.0 in rain or snow · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Sleeping Bear Dunes in March~290 mi · highs 34°F, 2.1 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~468 m to Grand Marais's ~186 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.
Grand Marais in March: quick answers
Is March a good time to visit Grand Marais?
It's middling, scoring 48/100. The best months are June – September, at up to 83. Expect highs of 35°F (2°C) and 1.3 in (33 mm) of rain or snow. Our Minnesota North Shore route recommends Jun – Oct, so March is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Grand Marais in March?
Average highs are 35°F (2°C) and average lows 18°F (-8°C), making it the 4th-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Grand Marais in March?
Not much: about 1.3 in (33 mm) of rain or snow falls across March on average, the 3rd-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 28.5 in (723 mm).
What should I pack for Grand Marais in March?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 18°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 Grand Marais
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