Monthly climate guide

New Orleans in March

March in New Orleans is early spring, a shoulder-season month, so you can get a bit of variety across the month. The month is mostly mild for steady exploring, 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 New Orleans.

Hottest (avg)
IN-BETWEEN
#8 / 12

Sits around the middle of the year.

Wettest (avg)
IN-BETWEEN
#5 / 12

Typical rainfall for the year.

Daylight Hours
IN-BETWEEN
#7 / 12

Around the yearly average.

Windiest (avg)
WIND
#3 / 12

Among the windier months.

Highest UV
UV
#7 / 12

Near the middle of the yearly UV range.

Most Humid
HUMID
#7 / 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

12 h

Average daylight

UV index (max)
8
Typical sun hours
06:08 - 18:08

Wet-day pattern

Rain & Snow

Typical rainfall

Rainy days
12 days
Cloud cover (avg)
54%

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 New Orleans. 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.010203011631°C
Median temperatureMedian lowTypical range

Day 15 selected for March. Temperature 21.2°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.

Rain High impact

Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 18% of days (5.5 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

5.5 days / month

Share of days
~18% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~48mm (P95)
Why this matters

Rain disruption risk appears on ~6 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Rain High impact

Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 17% of days (5.3 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

5.3 days / month

Share of days
~17% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~48mm (P95)
Why this matters

Washout conditions are possible on ~5 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Rain High impact

Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 12% of days (3.8 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

3.8 days / month

Share of days
~12% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~52mm (P95)
Why this matters

Heavy rain is possible on ~4 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 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 ~84km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Strong gusts are possible on ~2 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 6% 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
~6% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~81km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Stormy conditions are possible on ~2 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Cold Moderate

Cold feels-like nights Measures: Cold feels-like nights (min <=5C). Observed about 14% of days (4.3 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

4.3 days / month

Share of days
~14% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~5°C (P95)
Why this matters

Cold feels-like nights are possible on ~4 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.

Show all disruptions (21 more)
Rain High impact

Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). Observed about 4% of days (1.4 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.4 days / month

Share of days
~4% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~70mm (P95)
Why this matters

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

Rain High impact

Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 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
Upper edge
Up to ~48mm (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.

Rain High impact

Extreme rain Measures: Extreme rain days (>=50mm). 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 ~72mm (P95)
Why this matters

Extreme rain is possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Wind High impact

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.

Likely frequency

0.2 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~89km/h (P95)
Why this matters

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

Humidity Moderate

Muggy days Measures: Muggy days (dew point >=20C). 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 ~22°C (P95)
Why this matters

Muggy conditions are possible on ~2 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Visibility Moderate

Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 4% of days (1.4 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.4 days / month

Share of days
~4% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~97% (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.

Rain Minor

Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 48% of days (14.8 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

14.8 days / month

Share of days
~48% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~37mm (P95)
Why this matters

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

Humidity Minor

High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 47% of days (14.6 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

14.6 days / month

Share of days
~47% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~95% (P95)
Why this matters

High humidity is possible on ~15 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.

Cloud Minor

Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 47% of days (14.4 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

14.4 days / month

Share of days
~47% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Cloudy skies are possible on ~14 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 46% of days (14.3 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

14.3 days / month

Share of days
~46% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~68km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Gusty conditions are possible on ~14 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Rain Minor

Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 37% of days (11.5 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

11.5 days / month

Share of days
~37% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~18h (P95)
Why this matters

Several rainy hours are possible on ~12 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Cloud Minor

Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 29% of days (8.8 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

8.8 days / month

Share of days
~29% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~9 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Rain Minor

Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). 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 ~18h (P95)
Why this matters

Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~8 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Humidity Minor

Humid days Measures: Humid days (dew point >=18C). 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 ~21°C (P95)
Why this matters

Humid conditions are possible on ~6 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.

Cloud Minor

Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). 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 ~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.

Humidity Minor

Convective risk Measures: Convective storm risk proxy. 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 ~21°C (P95)
Why this matters

Convective risk signal appears on ~2 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Wind Minor

Breezy days Measures: Breezy days (mean wind >=25 km/h). Observed about 6% of days (1.9 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.9 days / month

Share of days
~6% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~33km/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.

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 4% of days (1.4 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.4 days / month

Share of days
~4% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~97 (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 Minor

Cold nights Measures: Cold nights (min <=5C). 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 ~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 Minor

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.

Cold Minor

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.

Travel planning FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the weather questions you ask the most.

Is March a good time to visit New Orleans?

Typical March days in New Orleans reach highs of 21°C (70°F) with nights around 14°C (57°F). It usually feels mild by day and cool after dark. Overall, March sits in the middle of the New Orleans climate range.

What are temperatures like in March?

Daytime temperatures in March typically peak near 21°C (70°F), while nights drop to around 14°C (57°F). Expect mild afternoons and cool evenings.

How much does it rain in March?

Rainfall in March averages 121 mm (4.8 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 06:08 and sunset near 18:08. Daylight is fairly typical, with enough time for sightseeing.

How strong is the sun in March?

UV levels are often high (around 8). Regular sunscreen and a hat are recommended.

Is it windy in March?

In March, average wind speeds are around 15 km/h (9 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 56 km/h (35 mph). On the ground, it is it can feel quite windy at times, particularly when weather systems move through.

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