Vancouver in March
What to expect
March in Vancouver is early spring, a shoulder-season window, so you can get a bit of variety across the month. The overall feel is cool without being harsh, with only small changes from morning to evening. 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 Vancouver.
Monthly climate breakdown
Temperature
- Daytime high
-
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Sunshine
- Daylight hours
- 11.9 h
- UV index (max)
- 5
- Typical sun hours
- 06:22 - 18:18
Rain & Snow
- Total rain
-
- Rainy days
- 20 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 72%
- Snowfall
-
Humidity & Wind
- Humidity (avg)
- 81%
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Daily climate explorer
Day 15 selected for March. Typical high 8.5°C and low 3.4°C.
Typical disruptions in March
Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in March.
Cold feels-like nights Measures: Cold feels-like nights (min <=5C). Observed about 98% of days (30.5 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
30.5 days / month
~98% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 30.5 days / month
- Probability ~98% of days
- Intensity Up to ~4°C (P95)
Cold feels-like nights are possible on ~31 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 43% of days (13.5 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
13.5 days / month
~43% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 13.5 days / month
- Probability ~43% of days
- Intensity Up to ~38mm (P95)
Rain disruption risk appears on ~13 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 43% of days (13.5 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
13.5 days / month
~43% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 13.5 days / month
- Probability ~43% of days
- Intensity Up to ~38mm (P95)
Washout conditions are possible on ~13 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 28% of days (8.7 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
8.7 days / month
~28% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 8.7 days / month
- Probability ~28% of days
- Intensity Up to ~41mm (P95)
Heavy rain is possible on ~9 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Snow days Measures: Snow days (>=0.1mm snowfall). Observed about 24% of days (7.6 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
7.6 days / month
~24% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 7.6 days / month
- Probability ~24% of days
- Intensity Up to ~9.4mm (P95)
Snowfall is possible on ~8 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 8% of days (2.4 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.4 days / month
~8% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.4 days / month
- Probability ~8% of days
- Intensity Up to ~86km/h (P95)
Stormy conditions are possible on ~2 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Show all disruptions (21 more)
Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 3.2 days/month in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.2 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.2 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~38mm (P95)
Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~3 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 8% of days (2.4 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.4 days / month
~8% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.4 days / month
- Probability ~8% of days
- Intensity Up to ~61mm (P95)
Very heavy rain is possible on ~2 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 4% of days (1.4 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.4 days / month
~4% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.4 days / month
- Probability ~4% of days
- Intensity Up to ~91km/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.
Severe gusts Measures: Severe gust days (>=80 km/h). 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 ~93km/h (P95)
Severe gusts are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Extreme rain Measures: Extreme rain days (>=50mm). 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 ~74mm (P95)
Extreme rain is possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Freezing nights Measures: Freezing nights (min <=0C). Observed about 14% of days (4.3 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.3 days / month
~14% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.3 days / month
- Probability ~14% of days
- Intensity Up to ~0°C (P95)
Freezing nights are possible on ~4 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 12% of days (3.6 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.6 days / month
~12% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.6 days / month
- Probability ~12% of days
- Intensity Up to ~97% (P95)
Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~4 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cold snap run Measures: Cold snap runs (>=3 cold days). Observed about 2.5 days/month in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.5 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.5 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~10°C (P95)
Cold snap runs are possible on ~2 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Cold nights Measures: Cold nights (min <=5C). Observed about 82% of days (25.5 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
25.5 days / month
~82% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 25.5 days / month
- Probability ~82% of days
- Intensity Up to ~5°C (P95)
Cold nights are possible on ~25 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 76% of days (23.4 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
23.4 days / month
~76% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 23.4 days / month
- Probability ~76% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Cloudy skies are possible on ~23 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cold days Measures: Cold days (max <=10C). Observed about 72% of days (22.4 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
22.4 days / month
~72% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 22.4 days / month
- Probability ~72% of days
- Intensity Up to ~10°C (P95)
Cold daytime conditions are possible on ~22 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 72% of days (22.3 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
22.3 days / month
~72% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 22.3 days / month
- Probability ~72% of days
- Intensity Up to ~32mm (P95)
Measurable rain is possible on ~22 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 65% of days (20.2 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
20.2 days / month
~65% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 20.2 days / month
- Probability ~65% of days
- Intensity Up to ~24h (P95)
Several rainy hours are possible on ~20 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 60% of days (18.5 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
18.5 days / month
~60% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 18.5 days / month
- Probability ~60% of days
- Intensity Up to ~95% (P95)
High humidity is possible on ~19 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 58% of days (18.0 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
18.0 days / month
~58% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 18.0 days / month
- Probability ~58% of days
- Intensity Up to ~24h (P95)
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~18 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 55% of days (17.1 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
17.1 days / month
~55% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 17.1 days / month
- Probability ~55% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~17 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 28% of days (8.7 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
8.7 days / month
~28% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 8.7 days / month
- Probability ~28% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Overcast skies are possible on ~9 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 22% of days (6.7 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
6.7 days / month
~22% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 6.7 days / month
- Probability ~22% of days
- Intensity Up to ~75km/h (P95)
Gusty conditions are possible on ~7 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
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 12% of days (3.6 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.6 days / month
~12% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.6 days / month
- Probability ~12% 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 ~4 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Heavy snowfall (INACTIVE until snowfall_sum units confirmed; set threshold once units are verified) Measures: Heavy snowfall (INACTIVE until snowfall_sum units confirmed; set threshold once units are verified). 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 ~14 (P95)
Heavy snowfall (INACTIVE until snowfall_sum units confirmed; set threshold once units are verified) is possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Hard freeze nights Measures: Hard freeze nights (min <=-2C). Observed about 3% of days (1.0 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.0 days / month
~3% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.0 days / month
- Probability ~3% of days
- Intensity Up to ~-2°C (P95)
Hard freeze conditions are possible on ~1 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Frequently asked questions
Is March a good time to visit Vancouver?
Typical March days in Vancouver reach highs of 9°C (48°F) with nights around 3°C (37°F). It usually feels chilly by day and cold after dark. Overall, March sits in the middle of the Vancouver climate range.
What are temperatures like in March?
Daytime temperatures in March typically peak near 9°C (48°F), while nights drop to around 3°C (37°F). Expect chilly afternoons and cold evenings.
How much does it rain in March?
Rainfall in March averages 178 mm (7.0 in) across roughly 20 days. Overall it is a very wet time of year, so a light rain jacket and waterproof shoes are very handy.
How many hours of daylight are there in March?
You can expect about 12 hours of daylight in March. Sunrise is typically around 06:22 and sunset near 18:18. Daylight is fairly typical, with enough time for sightseeing.
How strong is the sun in March?
UV levels are moderate (around 5); sunscreen and sunglasses are still a good idea.
Is it windy in March?
In March, average wind speeds are around 10 km/h (6 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 48 km/h (30 mph). On the ground, it is it often feels breezy, especially in more exposed spots or along the coast.