One of the warmer months.
March in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Cape Town.
One of the drier months.
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
12.3 h
Average daylight
- UV index (max)
- 8
- Typical sun hours
- 06:45 - 19:02
Wet-day pattern
Rain & Snow
Typical rainfall
- Rainy days
- 5 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 33%
Air feel
Humidity & Wind
73%
Average humidity
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Historical daily baseline
Daily climate explorer
Pick a day to inspect the usual conditions through March in Cape Town. 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 24.9°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.
Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 21% of days (6.5 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
6.5 days / month
- Share of days
- ~21% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~107km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Strong gusts are possible on ~7 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 9% of days (2.8 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
2.8 days / month
- Share of days
- ~9% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~117km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Severe gusts are possible on ~3 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 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 ~21mm (P95)
Why this matters
Washout conditions are possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Hot days Measures: Hot days (>=30C). Observed about 6% of days (2.0 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
2.0 days / month
- Share of days
- ~6% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~35°C (P95)
Why this matters
Hot days are possible on ~2 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Hot feels-like days Measures: Hot feels-like days (>=32C). Observed about 5% of days (1.7 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
1.7 days / month
- Share of days
- ~5% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~37°C (P95)
Why this matters
Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~2 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 4% 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
- ~4% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~20mm (P95)
Why this matters
Rain disruption risk appears on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Show all disruptions (16 more)
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.4 days / month
- Share of days
- ~1% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~37mm (P95)
Why this matters
Heavy rain is possible on ~0 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 (0.4 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.4 days / month
- Share of days
- ~1% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~113km/h (P95)
Why this matters
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 0.2 days/month in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.2 days / month
- Share of days
- —
- Upper edge
- Up to ~48mm (P95)
Why this matters
Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 68% of days (21.2 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
21.2 days / month
- Share of days
- ~68% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~97km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Gusty conditions are possible on ~21 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 27% of days (8.3 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
8.3 days / month
- Share of days
- ~27% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~91% (P95)
Why this matters
High humidity is possible on ~8 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). 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 ~10.0mm (P95)
Why this matters
Measurable rain is possible on ~7 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 20% of days (6.2 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
6.2 days / month
- Share of days
- ~20% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~95% (P95)
Why this matters
Cloudy skies are possible on ~6 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 15% of days (4.6 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
4.6 days / month
- Share of days
- ~15% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~14h (P95)
Why this matters
Several rainy hours are possible on ~5 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 7% of days (2.3 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
2.3 days / month
- Share of days
- ~7% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~16h (P95)
Why this matters
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~2 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Breezy days Measures: Breezy days (mean wind >=25 km/h). Observed about 7% of days (2.1 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
2.1 days / month
- Share of days
- ~7% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~32km/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.
Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). 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 ~98% (P95)
Why this matters
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~2 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Humid days Measures: Humid days (dew point >=18C). Observed about 4% of days (1.2 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
1.2 days / month
- Share of days
- ~4% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~19°C (P95)
Why this matters
Humid conditions are possible on ~1 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). 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 ~100% (P95)
Why this matters
Overcast skies are possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Very hot feels-like Measures: Very hot feels-like days (>=35C). 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 ~37°C (P95)
Why this matters
Very hot feels-like conditions are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Very hot days Measures: Very hot days (>=35C). 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 ~36°C (P95)
Why this matters
Very hot days are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
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.
Likely frequency
0.1 days / month
- Share of days
- —
- Upper edge
- Up to ~33°C (P95)
Why this matters
Heatwave runs are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Travel planning FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the weather questions you ask the most.
Is March a good time to visit Cape Town?
Typical March days in Cape Town reach highs of 24°C (75°F) with nights around 16°C (61°F). It usually feels warm by day and mild after dark. It is one of the drier months, which suits outdoor exploring and sightseeing.
What are temperatures like in March?
Daytime temperatures in March typically peak near 24°C (75°F), while nights drop to around 16°C (61°F). Expect warm afternoons and mild evenings.
How much does it rain in March?
Rainfall in March averages 18 mm (0.71 in) across roughly 5 days. Overall it is a mostly dry 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 06:45 and sunset near 19:02. 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 16 km/h (10 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 79 km/h (49 mph). On the ground, it is it is a notably windy place, and strong gusts are fairly common.