Early spring · Weather & things to do
Manhattan in March
Manhattan warms up: highs climb to 46°F (8°C), from 38°F in February, with lows of 29°F (-1°C) and about 3.9 in (100 mm) of rain.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 53/100, 9th of 12.
- Avg high
- 46°F (8°C)
- Avg low
- 29°F (-1°C)
- Rain
- 3.9 in (100 mm)
- Humidity
- 82%
- Cloud cover
- 60%
- Daylight
- ~11 h 41 min
- Comfort score
- 53/100 · Fair
What March feels like
Afternoons only reach about 46°F (8°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 29°F (-1°C), so expect frost and ice.
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 3.9 in (100 mm).
Plan around March
March sits mid-table; the best months are May and September & October.
- Last month with freezing nights on average; by April, lows rise to 39°F.
- Comfort improves from 44/100 in February to 53/100.
- Our NYC Cultural Weekend route recommends Sep – Nov, so March falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for March
- Insulated jackethighs only 46°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 29°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 3.9 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Manhattan in March
A mixed month: these picks balance outdoor stops with indoor fallbacks.
Top of the Rock
Open-air decks atop Rockefeller Center with a clear view of the Empire State Building and Central Park.
High Line
Elevated rail-line park with plantings, public art and Hudson views from Gansevoort St to Hudson Yards.
Times Square
The billboards and Broadway theaters are at their best after dark.
Russ & Daughters
Fourth-generation appetizing shop for smoked fish, bagels and babka.
Katz's Delicatessen
Lower East Side deli serving hand-cut pastrami on rye since 1888.
Nearby in March
- New York City in March~5 mi · highs 44°F, 4.4 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Beacon in March~50 mi · highs 46°F, 3.7 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Philadelphia in March~85 mi · highs 50°F, 3.9 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Hudson in March~102 mi · highs 43°F, 3.4 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
These averages also cover Museum Mile.
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.
Manhattan in March: quick answers
Is March a good time to visit Manhattan?
It's middling, scoring 53/100. The best months are May and September & October, at up to 83. Expect highs of 46°F (8°C) and 3.9 in (100 mm) of rain. Our NYC Cultural Weekend route recommends Sep – Nov, so March is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Manhattan in March?
Average highs are 46°F (8°C) and average lows 29°F (-1°C), making it the 4th-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Manhattan in March?
Some: about 3.9 in (100 mm) of rain falls across March on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 48.7 in (1236 mm).
What should I pack for Manhattan in March?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 46°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 29°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 3.9 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Manhattan
Planning Manhattan 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.