Monthly climate guide

San Diego in March

March in San Diego 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. The daylight window is balanced for full days without endless late evenings. Most days feel close to what the averages suggest, with straightforward pacing.

Annual ranking snapshot

Ranked across 12 months

March in context

How it compares to the rest of the year in San Diego.

Hottest (avg)
IN-BETWEEN
#9 / 12

Sits around the middle of the year.

Wettest (avg)
IN-BETWEEN
#4 / 12

Typical rainfall for the year.

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
#4 / 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)
7
Typical sun hours
05:56 - 17:56

Wet-day pattern

Rain & Snow

Typical rainfall

Rainy days
7 days
Cloud cover (avg)
48%

Air feel

Humidity & Wind

77%

Average humidity

Wind (avg)
Wind (max gusts)

Historical daily baseline

Daily climate explorer

Pick a day to inspect the usual conditions through March in San Diego. 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 17.6°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

Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 9% of days (2.9 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

2.9 days / month

Share of days
~9% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~28mm (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.

Wind High impact

Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 2% of days (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
~2% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~69km/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 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 ~28mm (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.

Cold Moderate

Cold feels-like nights Measures: Cold feels-like nights (min <=5C). Observed about 8% of days (2.5 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

2.5 days / month

Share of days
~8% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~5°C (P95)
Why this matters

Cold feels-like nights are possible on ~2 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.

Show all disruptions (14 more)
Rain High impact

Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 4% of days (1.3 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.3 days / month

Share of days
~4% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~36mm (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.

Rain High impact

Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 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
Upper edge
Up to ~25mm (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 (0.3 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 ~73km/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.

Rain High impact

Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). 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 ~45mm (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.

Humidity Minor

High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 50% of days (15.4 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

15.4 days / month

Share of days
~50% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~92% (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 39% of days (12.2 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

12.2 days / month

Share of days
~39% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~97% (P95)
Why this matters

Cloudy skies are possible on ~12 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 29% of days (9.1 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

9.1 days / month

Share of days
~29% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~20mm (P95)
Why this matters

Measurable rain is possible on ~9 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 22% of days (7.0 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

7.0 days / month

Share of days
~22% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~22h (P95)
Why this matters

Several rainy hours are possible on ~7 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Rain Minor

Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). 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 ~22h (P95)
Why this matters

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

Wind Minor

Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 16% of days (5.1 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

5.1 days / month

Share of days
~16% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~61km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Gusty conditions are possible on ~5 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Cloud Minor

Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 16% of days (5.0 days/month) in March. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

5.0 days / month

Share of days
~16% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~99% (P95)
Why this matters

Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~5 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Cloud Minor

Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). 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 ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Overcast skies are possible on ~1 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 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 ~97% (P95)
Why this matters

Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~0 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 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 ~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 ~0 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 San Diego?

Typical March days in San Diego reach highs of 18°C (64°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 San Diego climate range.

What are temperatures like in March?

Daytime temperatures in March typically peak near 18°C (64°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 48 mm (1.9 in) across roughly 7 days. Overall it is a moderately wet 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 05:56 and sunset near 17:56. 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 9 km/h (6 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 41 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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