March weather forecast
Chicago, IL

Share
The city of Chicago in Illinois on the shores of Lake Michigan, with a superb view of the sandy beach of Oak Street
The city of Chicago in Illinois on the shores of Lake Michigan, with a superb view of the sandy beach of Oak Street

Weather in March

The windy city of Chicago ushers in March with an increase in temperature and longer daylight hours. While winter is still holding its grip, March introduces the first signs of spring. Progreess is apparent compared to February, including a drop in snowfall to 1.34" (34mm) over 6.1 days. There are hints of the forthcoming greenery as the city transitions to warmer weather. Despite the colder temperatures in the early hours, the afternoons become increasingly comfortable.

Temperature

March comes with an increase, with the average high-temperature moving from an icy 32°F (0°C) in February to a still cold 41.5°F (5.3°C). Chicago observes an average low-temperature of 32.2°F (0.1°C) during March nights.

Humidity

The average relative humidity in March is 77%.

Rainfall

In March, the rain falls for 11.8 days. Throughout March, 2.13" (54mm) of precipitation is accumulated. Throughout the year, there are 160.2 rainfall days, and 36.97" (939mm) of precipitation is accumulated.

Snowfall

January through May, November and December are months with snowfall. In March, in Chicago, Illinois, it is snowing for 6.1 days. Throughout March, 1.34" (34mm) of snow is accumulated. In Chicago, during the entire year, snow falls for 40.9 days and aggregates up to 13.9" (353mm) of snow.

Ocean temperature

In March, the average ocean temperature is 37.8°F (3.2°C).
Note: In swimming, this scenario poses immediate life-threatening danger. Breathing control is totally lost and logical thinking nearly impossible. Wearing a specialized swimsuit is critical to limit thermal loss.

Daylight

In Chicago, Illinois, the average length of the day in March is 11h and 58min.
On the first day of the month, sunrise is at 6:24 am and sunset at 5:41 pm CST. On the last day of March, sunrise is at 6:33 am and sunset at 7:15 pm CDT.
Note: On Sunday, March 10. 2024, at 2:00 am, Daylight Saving Time starts, and the time zone changes from CST to CDT. Daylight Saving Time lasts until Sunday, November 3. 2024, at 2:00 am; consequently, the time zone reverts from CDT to CST.

Sunshine

In Chicago, Illinois, the average sunshine in March is 6.1h.

UV index

In Chicago, the average daily maximum UV index in March is 2. A UV Index value of 2, and less, symbolizes a low health risk from exposure to the Sun's UV rays for the average person.
Note: In March, a regular UV index of 2 translates into these guidelines:
While many people can endure lengthy sun exposure, it remains imperative to safeguard babies, children, and fair-skinned individuals. For health reasons, it's advisable to reduce direct sun exposure during peak hours around midday. Enhance your sun protection with tightly woven, yet airy clothing. Mind you! Snow reflection can increase the intensity of the Sun's UV radiation nearly twofold.
Updated: Aug 12, 2024
Published by: Weather U.S. | About Us
Data Sources | Weather Forecasting & Climate

Frequently asked questions

Is it cold during March?

In Chicago, 41.5°F (5.3°C) is the average high-temperature and 32.2°F (0.1°C) is the average low-temperature during March.

What is the average humidity in March?

The average relative humidity in March is 77%.

How many days does it rain in March?

In Chicago, Illinois, in March, it is raining for 11.8 days, with typically 2.13" (54mm) of accumulated precipitation.

How much does it snow in March?

In Chicago, in March, snow falls for 6.1 days, with typically accumulated 1.34" (34mm) of snow.

What is the water temperature in March?

In Chicago, in March, the average water temperature is 37.8°F (3.2°C). For swimming, this is considered very dangerous and immediately life-threatening. Total loss of breathing control instantly occurs, and clear thinking becomes almost impossible. A specialized swimsuit is obligatory to minimize thermal loss.

What is the average length of the day in March?

In March, the average day length in Chicago is 11h and 58min.

When is the sunrise / sunset in March?

In March, on the first day of the month, sunrise is at 6:24 am and sunset at 5:41 pm CST. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 6:33 am and sunset at 7:15 pm CDT.

When does Daylight Saving Time (DST) start in March?

On Sunday, March 10. 2024, at 2:00 am, Daylight Saving Time starts, and the time zone changes from CST to CDT. DST ends Sunday, November 3. 2024, at 2:00 am.

How long on average sun shines in March?

In March, the average sunshine duration in Chicago is 6.1h.

What is the UV index reading in March?

In March, the average daily maximum UV index is 2. A UV Index reading of 2, and below, represents a low health threat from exposure to the Sun's UV radiation.
Average humidity
Average rainfall days
Average snowfall days
Average daylight
Average sunshine
Average sunshine days
Average UV index
Average cloud cover
Average visibility

Average temperature in March
Chicago, IL

Average temperature in March - Chicago, IL
  • Average high temperature in March: 41.5°F

The warmest month (with the highest average high temperature) is August (77.5°F).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is January (29.7°F).

  • Average low temperature in March: 32.2°F

The month with the highest average low temperature is July (67.8°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is January (20.7°F).

Average pressure in March
Chicago, IL

Average pressure in March - Chicago, IL
  • Average pressure in March: 30.09"Hg

The month with the highest atmospheric pressure is January (30.11"Hg).
The month with the lowest atmospheric pressure is June (29.92"Hg).

Average wind speed in March
Chicago, IL

Average wind speed in March - Chicago, IL
  • Average wind speed in March: 11mph

The windiest month (with the highest average wind speed) is January (12.5mph).
The calmest month (with the lowest average wind speed) is July (7.7mph).

Average humidity in March
Chicago, IL

Average humidity in March - Chicago, IL
  • Average humidity in March: 77%

The month with the highest relative humidity is January (82%).
The month with the lowest relative humidity is October (73%).

Average rainfall in March
Chicago, IL

Average rainfall in March - Chicago, IL
  • Average rainfall in March: 2.13"

The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is June (4.88").
The driest month (with the least rainfall) is December (1.65").

Average rainfall days in March
Chicago, IL

Average rainfall days in March - Chicago, IL
  • Average rainfall days in March: 11.8 days

The month with the highest number of rainy days is July (18.5 days).
The month with the least rainy days is February (5.5 days).

Average snowfall in March
Chicago, IL

Average snowfall in March - Chicago, IL
  • Average snowfall in March: 1.34"

The month with the highest snowfall is February (3.54").
The months with the least snowfall are June, July, August, September and October (0").

Average snowfall days in March
Chicago, IL

Average snowfall days in March - Chicago, IL
  • Average snowfall days in March: 6.1 days

The month with the highest number of snowfall days is January (10.6 days).
The months with the least snowfall days are June, July, August and September (0 days).

Average sea temperature in March
Chicago, IL

Average sea temperature in March - Chicago, IL
  • Average sea temperature in March: 37.8°F

The best month for swimming (with the highest average sea temperature) is August (73.9°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average sea temperature) is February (36.9°F).

Average daylight in March /
Average sunshine in March
Chicago, IL

Average daylight in March / Average sunshine in March - Chicago, IL
  • Average daylight in March: 12h and 0min

The month with the longest days is June (Average daylight: 15h and 12min).
The month with the shortest days is December (Average daylight: 9h and 12min).

  • Average sunshine in March: 6h and 1min

The months with the most sunshine are July and August (Average sunshine: 10h and 36min).
The month with the least sunshine is January (Average sunshine: 3h and 42min).

Average sunshine days in March
Chicago, IL

Average sunshine days in March - Chicago, IL
  • Average sunshine days in March: 13.9 days

The month with the most sunshine days is December (15.5 days).
The month with the least sunshine days is July (9.3 days).

Average UV index in March
Chicago, IL

Average UV index in March - Chicago, IL
  • Average UV index in March: 2

The months with the highest UV index are July and August (UV index 6).
The months with the lowest UV index are January and December (UV index 1).

Average cloud cover in March
Chicago, IL

Average cloud cover in March - Chicago, IL
  • Average cloud cover in March: 50

The month with the most cloud cover is January (Cloud cover 62).
The months with the least cloud cover are July and August (Cloud cover 27).

Average visibility in March
Chicago, IL

Average visibility in March - Chicago, IL
  • Average visibility in March: 6mi

The months with the highest visibility are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (6mi).
The months with the lowest visibility are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (6mi).

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Weather forecast for your location

1. Click Locate me button
2. Allow the app to use your location