Canberra in March
What to expect
March in Canberra is early autumn, a shoulder-season window, so you can get a bit of variety across the month. The month is warm and inviting for long walks, with a noticeable cool-down after sunset. Most days feel close to what the averages suggest, with straightforward pacing. The daylight window is balanced for full days without endless late evenings.
March in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Canberra.
Monthly climate breakdown
Temperature
- Daytime high
-
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Sunshine
- Daylight hours
- 12.3 h
- UV index (max)
- 8
- Typical sun hours
- 07:02 - 19:20
Rain & Snow
- Total rain
-
- Rainy days
- 8 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 48%
Humidity & Wind
- Humidity (avg)
- 70%
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Daily climate explorer
Day 15 selected for March. Typical high 23.3°C and low 12.8°C.
Typical disruptions in March
Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in March.
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 8% of days (2.6 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.6 days / month
~8% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.6 days / month
- Probability ~8% of days
- Intensity Up to ~33mm (P95)
Rain disruption risk appears on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 8% of days (2.5 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.5 days / month
~8% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.5 days / month
- Probability ~8% of days
- Intensity Up to ~33mm (P95)
Washout conditions are possible on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 3% of days (0.9 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.9 days / month
~3% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.9 days / month
- Probability ~3% of days
- Intensity Up to ~86km/h (P95)
Strong gusts are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Cold feels-like nights Measures: Cold feels-like nights (min <=5C). Observed about 8% of days (2.5 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.5 days / month
~8% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.5 days / month
- Probability ~8% of days
- Intensity Up to ~5°C (P95)
Cold feels-like nights are possible on ~2 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Hot days Measures: Hot days (>=30C). Observed about 3% of days (0.9 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.9 days / month
~3% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.9 days / month
- Probability ~3% of days
- Intensity Up to ~33°C (P95)
Hot days are possible on ~1 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Show all disruptions (17 more)
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 4% of days (1.2 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.2 days / month
~4% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.2 days / month
- Probability ~4% of days
- Intensity Up to ~37mm (P95)
Heavy rain is possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 1% of days (0.5 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.5 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.5 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~72km/h (P95)
Stormy conditions are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 0.4 days/month in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.4 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.4 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~17mm (P95)
Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.2 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.2 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~50mm (P95)
Very heavy rain is possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Hot feels-like days Measures: Hot feels-like days (>=32C). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.2 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.2 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~33°C (P95)
Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 43% of days (13.2 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
13.2 days / month
~43% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 13.2 days / month
- Probability ~43% of days
- Intensity Up to ~99% (P95)
Cloudy skies are possible on ~13 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 38% of days (11.7 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
11.7 days / month
~38% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 11.7 days / month
- Probability ~38% of days
- Intensity Up to ~16mm (P95)
Measurable rain is possible on ~12 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 36% of days (11.3 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
11.3 days / month
~36% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 11.3 days / month
- Probability ~36% of days
- Intensity Up to ~65km/h (P95)
Gusty conditions are possible on ~11 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 24% of days (7.3 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
7.3 days / month
~24% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 7.3 days / month
- Probability ~24% of days
- Intensity Up to ~18h (P95)
Several rainy hours are possible on ~7 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 19% of days (6.0 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
6.0 days / month
~19% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 6.0 days / month
- Probability ~19% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~6 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 15% of days (4.6 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.6 days / month
~15% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.6 days / month
- Probability ~15% of days
- Intensity Up to ~94% (P95)
High humidity is possible on ~5 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 14% of days (4.5 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.5 days / month
~14% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.5 days / month
- Probability ~14% of days
- Intensity Up to ~18h (P95)
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~4 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 6% of days (1.9 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.9 days / month
~6% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.9 days / month
- Probability ~6% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Overcast skies are possible on ~2 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.4 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.4 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~97% (P95)
Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data Measures: Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data. Observed about 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.4 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.4 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~97 (P95)
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data is possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cold nights Measures: Cold nights (min <=5C). Observed about 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.4 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.4 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~5°C (P95)
Cold nights are possible on ~0 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Heatwave run Measures: Heatwave runs (>=3 hot days). Observed about 0.1 days/month in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.1 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.1 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~33°C (P95)
Heatwave runs are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Frequently asked questions
Is March a good time to visit Canberra?
Typical March days in Canberra reach highs of 23°C (73°F) with nights around 12°C (54°F). It usually feels warm by day and cool after dark. Overall, March sits in the middle of the Canberra climate range.
What are temperatures like in March?
In March, you can usually expect highs of 23°C (73°F) and lows near 12°C (54°F). That means warm days and cool nights, so pack layers you can add or remove.
How much does it rain in March?
Rainfall in March averages 44 mm (1.7 in) across roughly 8 days. Overall it is a moderately wet time of year, so showers are usually brief rather than all-day downpours.
How many hours of daylight are there in March?
You can expect about 12 hours of daylight in March. Sunrise is typically around 07:02 and sunset near 19:20. Daylight is fairly typical, with enough time for sightseeing.
How strong is the sun in March?
UV levels frequently reach very high levels (around 8), so strong sun protection is essential, especially around midday.
Is it windy in March?
In March, average wind speeds are around 11 km/h (7 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 52 km/h (32 mph). On the ground, it is it can feel quite windy at times, particularly when weather systems move through.