Chicago weather in March
Chicago in March averages 4°C (39°F) and 68 mm of rain.
Of the twelve months in Chicago, March is the fourth coldest and the fourth driest.
- Average temp
- 4°C (39°F)
0–9°C · 31–47°F
- Rainfall
- 68 mm
Showers likely
- Sunshine
- —
- Wind
- 18 km/h
What is Chicago like in March?
Daytime
Days are cool.
Rain
Some rain is likely; pack for showers.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What should I pack for Chicago in March?
A light rain jacket
About 68 mm falls this month — showers rather than washouts.
A warm mid-layer
Nights drop to around 0°C (31°F).
March compared with February and April
March in Chicago is 5.5°C warmer than February and 14 mm wetter than it, which averages -1°C (29°F).
March in Chicago is 6.1°C cooler than April and 38 mm drier than it, which averages 10°C (50°F).
Daylight in Chicago in March
On 15 March the sun is up for 11 hours 56 minutes in Chicago, rising about 07:01 and setting about 18:57 local time.
March ends 1 hour 25 minutes longer than it begins, so the last week of the month is a different length of day from the first.
That is 3 hours 17 minutes short of June, the longest-lit month here.
Where to stay in Chicago
Dates are a starting point for March.
Travel guides for Chicago
What to read before you book.
Chicago weather by month
TemperatureRainfall
How March compares with the rest of the year
March is highlighted. Every other month links to its own page.
| Month | Average | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| January | -3°C / 26°F | 58 mm |
| February | -1°C / 29°F | 54 mm |
| March | 4°C / 39°F | 68 mm |
| April | 10°C / 50°F | 105 mm |
| May | 16°C / 62°F | 121 mm |
| June | 22°C / 72°F | 115 mm |
| July | 25°C / 76°F | 102 mm |
| August | 24°C / 74°F | 104 mm |
| September | 20°C / 67°F | 85 mm |
| October | 13°C / 55°F | 98 mm |
| November | 6°C / 42°F | 69 mm |
| December | 0°C / 31°F | 59 mm |
Check another month
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FAQs about Chicago in March
March climate averages for Chicago, 1991–2020.
Chicago averages 4°C (39°F) in March, ranging from about 0°C (31°F) at night to 9°C (47°F) in the afternoon. That is a 1991–2020 average, so an individual week can run either side of it.
Some. About 68 mm falls across March, enough to need a light jacket but not enough to reshape a trip.
No. March averages 4°C (39°F) against 10°C (50°F) in April — 6.1°C cooler.
March is 5.5°C warmer than February, and 14 mm wetter.
It is outside the easiest window. The most comfortable stretch here is May to October; March sits outside it, which usually means more heat, more rain, or both — worth it if you would rather have the place to yourself.
This page does not show today's weather. It is a 1991–2020 climate normal from Meteostat — a long-run average of what March is usually like, which is what you want when booking months ahead. For today or the coming week, check a live forecast.
About 11 hours 56 minutes of daylight in mid-March, against 15 hours 13 minutes in June and 9 hours 9 minutes in December.
On 15 March, sunrise is about 07:01 and sunset about 18:57 local time. Both shift across the month — the month ends 1 hour 25 minutes longer than it starts.
