Early spring · Weather & things to do
Portsmouth in March
Portsmouth warms up: highs climb to 40°F (5°C), from 35°F in February, with lows of 30°F (-1°C) and about 4.8 in (122 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 40/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 40°F (5°C)
- Avg low
- 30°F (-1°C)
- Rain
- 4.8 in (122 mm)
- Humidity
- 81%
- Cloud cover
- 62%
- Daylight
- ~11 h 39 min
- Comfort score
- 40/100 · Tough
What March feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 40°F (5°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Average lows of 30°F (-1°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Rain is a real factor, with about 4.8 in (122 mm) across the month.
Plan around March
March is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are September.
- Last month with freezing nights on average; by April, lows rise to 38°F.
- Comfort holds steady from February (41 → 40/100).
- Our Boston to Portland route recommends May – Oct, so March falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for March
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 30°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Portsmouth in March
With 4.8 in of rain, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Ceres Bakery
Long-running downtown bakery for coffee, scones and soup.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 40°F.
Market Square
Brick-lined center of town with shops, cafés and the North Church spire.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 40°F.
Strawbery Banke Museum
Ten acres of restored houses spanning 300 years of a waterfront neighborhood.
Why now A way to spend part of a cold day out of the wind.
Odiorne Point State Park
Rocky shoreline trails and tide pools, plus the Seacoast Science Center.
The Press Room
Longest-running bar and live-music room in downtown Portsmouth: jazz, blues and local bands in a brick basement pub.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Nearby in March
- New Hampshire in March~42 mi · highs 42°F, 3.5 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, drier
- Portland, Maine in March~48 mi · highs 38°F, 4.3 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Boston in March~51 mi · highs 43°F, 4.3 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- White Mountains in March~87 mi · highs 16°F, 3.0 in rain or snow · 13°C (24°F) cooler by day, drier
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.
Portsmouth in March: quick answers
Is March a good time to visit Portsmouth?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 40/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are September. Expect highs of 40°F (5°C) and 4.8 in (122 mm) of rain. Our Boston to Portland route recommends May – Oct, so March is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Portsmouth in March?
Average highs are 40°F (5°C) and average lows 30°F (-1°C), making it the 4th-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Portsmouth in March?
Yes: about 4.8 in (122 mm) of rain falls across March on average, the 3rd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 52.6 in (1337 mm).
What should I pack for Portsmouth in March?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 30°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Portsmouth in March?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.