One of the warmer months.
March in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Dunedin.
Typical rainfall for the year.
Around the yearly average.
Close to the yearly wind average.
Near the middle of the yearly UV range.
Humidity stays close to the yearly norm.
Monthly climate breakdown
A detailed look at the typical climate conditions for March.
Thermal profile
Temperature
Typical daytime high
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Light window
Sunshine
12.4 h
Average daylight
- UV index (max)
- 7
- Typical sun hours
- 07:33 - 19:58
Wet-day pattern
Rain & Snow
Typical rainfall
- Rainy days
- 14 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 65%
- Snowfall
-
Air feel
Humidity & Wind
78%
Average humidity
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Historical daily baseline
Daily climate explorer
Pick a day to inspect the usual conditions through March in Dunedin. Based on a 30-year historical climate baseline, not a forecast.
Primary control
Select a day
Scroll to compare daily conditions. The summary updates with your selection.
Secondary context
Monthly trend
Median daytime highs across the month, with a softer low line.
Day 15 selected for March. Temperature 16.2°C.
Historical disruption baseline
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 27% of days (8.2 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
8.2 days / month
- Share of days
- ~27% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~5°C (P95)
Why this matters
Cold feels-like nights are possible on ~8 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 17% of days (5.2 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
5.2 days / month
- Share of days
- ~17% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~91km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Strong gusts are possible on ~5 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 12% of days (3.6 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
3.6 days / month
- Share of days
- ~12% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~26mm (P95)
Why this matters
Washout conditions are possible on ~4 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Severe gusts Measures: Severe gust days (>=80 km/h). Observed about 3% of days (1.1 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
1.1 days / month
- Share of days
- ~3% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~97km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Severe gusts are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 3% of days (0.9 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.9 days / month
- Share of days
- ~3% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~87km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Stormy conditions are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 12% of days (3.9 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
3.9 days / month
- Share of days
- ~12% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~25mm (P95)
Why this matters
Rain disruption risk appears on ~4 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Show all disruptions (19 more)
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 5% of days (1.6 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
1.6 days / month
- Share of days
- ~5% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~32mm (P95)
Why this matters
Heavy rain is possible on ~2 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 0.6 days/month in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.6 days / month
- Share of days
- —
- Upper edge
- Up to ~31mm (P95)
Why this matters
Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wind disruption Measures: Disruptive wind days. Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.3 days / month
- Share of days
- ~1% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~98km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Disruptive wind is possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
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.
Likely frequency
0.2 days / month
- Share of days
- ~1% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~52mm (P95)
Why this matters
Very heavy rain is possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 3% of days (1.0 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
1.0 days / month
- Share of days
- ~3% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~94% (P95)
Why this matters
Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 60% of days (18.7 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
18.7 days / month
- Share of days
- ~60% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~99% (P95)
Why this matters
Cloudy skies are possible on ~19 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 56% of days (17.5 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
17.5 days / month
- Share of days
- ~56% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~82km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Gusty conditions are possible on ~17 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 52% of days (16.1 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
16.1 days / month
- Share of days
- ~52% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~15mm (P95)
Why this matters
Measurable rain is possible on ~16 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 44% of days (13.7 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
13.7 days / month
- Share of days
- ~44% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~92% (P95)
Why this matters
High humidity is possible on ~14 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 40% of days (12.5 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
12.5 days / month
- Share of days
- ~40% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~19h (P95)
Why this matters
Several rainy hours are possible on ~13 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 33% of days (10.2 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
10.2 days / month
- Share of days
- ~33% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~10 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 24% of days (7.4 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
7.4 days / month
- Share of days
- ~24% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~21h (P95)
Why this matters
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~7 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 12% of days (3.7 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
3.7 days / month
- Share of days
- ~12% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters
Overcast skies are possible on ~4 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Breezy days Measures: Breezy days (mean wind >=25 km/h). Observed about 6% of days (1.8 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
1.8 days / month
- Share of days
- ~6% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~37km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Breezy conditions are possible on ~2 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 3% of days (1.0 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
1.0 days / month
- Share of days
- ~3% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~94 (P95)
Why this matters
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data is possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cold nights Measures: Cold nights (min <=5C). Observed about 2% of days (0.6 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.6 days / month
- Share of days
- ~2% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~5°C (P95)
Why this matters
Cold nights are possible on ~1 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Cold days Measures: Cold days (max <=10C). Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.3 days / month
- Share of days
- ~1% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~10°C (P95)
Why this matters
Cold daytime conditions are possible on ~0 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Wind chill risk Measures: Wind chill risk days. Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.3 days / month
- Share of days
- ~1% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~-0°C (P95)
Why this matters
Wind chill risk is possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Windy days Measures: Windy days (mean wind >=35 km/h). Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.3 days / month
- Share of days
- ~1% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~39km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Strong mean winds are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Travel planning FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the weather questions you ask the most.
Is March a good time to visit Dunedin?
Typical March days in Dunedin reach highs of 17°C (63°F) with nights around 10°C (50°F). It usually feels mild by day and cool after dark. Overall, March sits in the middle of the Dunedin climate range.
What are temperatures like in March?
Daytime temperatures in March typically peak near 17°C (63°F), while nights drop to around 10°C (50°F). Expect mild afternoons and cool evenings.
How much does it rain in March?
Rainfall in March averages 64 mm (2.5 in) across roughly 14 days. Overall it is a quite rainy 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 07:33 and sunset near 19:58. Daylight is fairly typical, with enough time for sightseeing.
How strong is the sun in March?
UV levels are often high (around 7). Regular sunscreen and a hat are recommended.
Is it windy in March?
In March, average wind speeds are around 13 km/h (8 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 68 km/h (42 mph). On the ground, it is it is a notably windy place, and strong gusts are fairly common.