Monthly climate guide

Anchorage in March

March in Anchorage is early spring, a shoulder-season month, so you can get a bit of variety across the month. Most days feel sharply cold, 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.

Annual ranking snapshot

Ranked across 12 months

March in context

How it compares to the rest of the year in Anchorage.

Hottest (avg)
IN-BETWEEN
#8 / 12

Sits around the middle of the year.

Wettest (avg)
DRIER
#10 / 12

One of the drier months.

Daylight Hours
IN-BETWEEN
#7 / 12

Around the yearly average.

Windiest (avg)
WIND
#5 / 12

Close to the yearly wind average.

Highest UV
UV
#7 / 12

Near the middle of the yearly UV range.

Most Humid
HUMID
#9 / 12

Humidity stays close to the yearly norm.

Climate normals

Four planning pillars

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

11.9 h

Average daylight

UV index (max)
4
Typical sun hours
07:11 - 19:03

Wet-day pattern

Rain & Snow

Typical rainfall

Rainy days
12 days
Cloud cover (avg)
62%
Snowfall

Air feel

Humidity & Wind

76%

Average humidity

Wind (avg)
Wind (max gusts)

Historical daily baseline

Daily climate explorer

Pick a day to inspect the usual conditions through March in Anchorage. 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

Day 15 selected

Median daytime highs across the month, with a softer low line.

Daily climate explorer for MarchMonthly trend chart for the selected climate metric, with the chosen day marked.-20-1001011631°C
Median temperatureMedian lowTypical range

Day 15 selected for March. Temperature -1.4°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 High impact

Cold feels-like nights Measures: Cold feels-like nights (min <=5C). Observed about 100% of days (31.0 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

31.0 days / month

Share of days
~100% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~-4°C (P95)
Why this matters

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.

Cold High impact

Freezing nights Measures: Freezing nights (min <=0C). Observed about 97% of days (30.0 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

30.0 days / month

Share of days
~97% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~-1°C (P95)
Why this matters

Freezing nights are possible on ~30 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Cold High impact

Hard freeze nights Measures: Hard freeze nights (min <=-2C). Observed about 84% of days (26.2 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

26.2 days / month

Share of days
~84% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~-3°C (P95)
Why this matters

Hard freeze conditions are possible on ~26 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.

Snow High impact

Snow days Measures: Snow days (>=0.1mm snowfall). Observed about 47% of days (14.5 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

14.5 days / month

Share of days
~47% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~7.1mm (P95)
Why this matters

Snowfall is possible on ~15 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Rain High impact

Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 10% of days (3.0 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

3.0 days / month

Share of days
~10% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~17mm (P95)
Why this matters

Washout conditions are possible on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Rain Moderate

Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 10% of days (3.0 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

3.0 days / month

Share of days
~10% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~17mm (P95)
Why this matters

Rain disruption risk appears on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Show all disruptions (18 more)
Rain High impact

Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 0.7 days/month in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.7 days / month

Share of days
Upper edge
Up to ~16mm (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 High impact

Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). 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 ~80km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Strong gusts are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Wind High impact

Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. 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 ~75km/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.

Cold Moderate

Cold snap run Measures: Cold snap runs (>=3 cold days). Observed about 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
Upper edge
Up to ~2°C (P95)
Why this matters

Cold snap runs are possible on ~1 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.

Rain Moderate

Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 3% of days (0.8 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.8 days / month

Share of days
~3% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~28mm (P95)
Why this matters

Heavy rain is possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Cold Minor

Cold nights Measures: Cold nights (min <=5C). Observed about 100% of days (31.0 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

31.0 days / month

Share of days
~100% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~-0°C (P95)
Why this matters

Cold nights are possible on ~31 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.

Cold Minor

Cold days Measures: Cold days (max <=10C). Observed about 100% of days (31.0 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

31.0 days / month

Share of days
~100% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~5°C (P95)
Why this matters

Cold daytime conditions are possible on ~31 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.

Cloud Minor

Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 59% of days (18.3 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

18.3 days / month

Share of days
~59% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Cloudy skies are possible on ~18 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Rain Minor

Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 47% of days (14.7 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

14.7 days / month

Share of days
~47% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~10mm (P95)
Why this matters

Measurable rain is possible on ~15 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Cloud Minor

Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 44% of days (13.6 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

13.6 days / month

Share of days
~44% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~14 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Rain Minor

Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 41% of days (12.6 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

12.6 days / month

Share of days
~41% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~23h (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.

Humidity Minor

High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). 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 ~90% (P95)
Why this matters

High humidity is possible on ~13 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.

Rain Minor

Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 32% of days (9.9 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

9.9 days / month

Share of days
~32% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~24h (P95)
Why this matters

Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~10 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Cloud Minor

Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 21% of days (6.6 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

6.6 days / month

Share of days
~21% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Overcast skies are possible on ~7 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Wind Minor

Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 11% of days (3.3 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

3.3 days / month

Share of days
~11% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~71km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Gusty conditions are possible on ~3 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Other Minor

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 5% of days (1.5 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.5 days / month

Share of days
~5% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~15 (P95)
Why this matters

Heavy snowfall (INACTIVE until snowfall_sum units confirmed; set threshold once units are verified) is possible on ~2 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Visibility Minor

Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 2% of days (0.5 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.5 days / month

Share of days
~2% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~95% (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.

Other Minor

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 2% of days (0.5 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.5 days / month

Share of days
~2% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~95 (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.

Travel planning FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the weather questions you ask the most.

Is March a good time to visit Anchorage?

Typical March days in Anchorage reach highs of -1°C (30°F) with nights around -8°C (18°F). It usually feels cold by day and very cold 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 -1°C (30°F), while nights drop to around -8°C (18°F). Expect cold afternoons and very cold evenings.

How much does it rain in March?

Rainfall in March averages 48 mm (1.9 in) across roughly 12 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 07:11 and sunset near 19:03. Daylight is fairly typical, with enough time for sightseeing.

How strong is the sun in March?

UV levels are moderate (around 4); sunscreen and sunglasses are still a good idea.

Is it windy in March?

In March, average wind speeds are around 7 km/h (4 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 40 km/h (25 mph). On the ground, it is it often feels breezy, especially in more exposed spots or along the coast.

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