Seattle
Seattle in March: what to expect
March is a maybe for Seattle: cool, wet and quiet, but cheap and uncrowded. Go if you want low hotel rates, indoor sights and early blossoms, and you accept rain on roughly half the days. Skip it if you came for mountain views or dry hiking; wait for July or August.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
GuideSeattle
Key facts
- Verdict
- Maybe — good value and low crowds, unreliable weather
- Typical daytime highcheck
- About 11 °C; overnight low about 4 °C
- Raincheck
- Rain on roughly half the days; light, persistent drizzle more often than downpours
- Daylight
- About 11–13 hours, growing fast after the clock change
- Crowds
- 2 of 5 — low season outside spring-break weekends
- Prices
- 2 of 5 — among the cheapest months for Seattle hotels
- Book ahead
- Not needed except spring-break weekends and any event weekend
Weather in March
March sits at the end of Seattle's wet season. Expect grey skies, drizzle and a few brighter days mixed in, with temperatures that feel more like a cold European spring than a US winter. Snow in the city is rare; snow in the mountains is still deep.
The bigger variable is daylight. The clocks move forward in early March, so evenings stretch out and by the end of the month it is light well past 7pm. That makes late-afternoon walks and waterfront time far more usable than in January or February.
Marine air keeps the city mild but damp. A waterproof shell beats an umbrella in the wind, and layers work better than a heavy coat because indoor spaces are warm.
| Measure | March | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | About 11 °C | check |
| Overnight low | About 4 °C | check |
| Rain days | Roughly 15 of 31 | check |
| Sun hours per day | About 4 | check |
| Sea / sound temperature | About 8–9 °C | check |
Averages only; a single March can swing from snow flurries to 18 °C sunshine. Check the forecast in the week before you fly.
Crowds and prices
March is one of the quietest months in Seattle. Hotel rates drop well below summer levels, restaurant reservations are easy, and the big attractions rarely have real queues on weekdays. Weekends and any school spring-break week are the exception, mainly for family attractions and ferries.
Airfares into Sea-Tac are usually moderate; the cheapest window tends to be midweek in the first half of the month, before spring break travel picks up. Car rental is cheap in March, but you will not need a car inside the city.
If you are flexible, this is a good month to trade weather for value: you can often stay in a better-located hotel for the same money as a mid-range one in July.
| Index (1–5) | March | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Crowds | 2 | Quiet weekdays; busier spring-break weekends |
| Prices | 2 | Low-season hotel and airfare rates |
| Weather | 2 | Wet and cool, but mild and rarely freezing |
What's on in March
Seattle's March calendar is built around food, books and the start of the growing season rather than big outdoor festivals. Dates shift each year, so confirm before you plan a trip around one.
Cherry and plum blossoms usually open in the second half of the month on campus and in the parks, and the first farmers-market stalls of the year fill out. St Patrick's Day brings a parade and a lot of green beer on the weekend nearest 17 March.
- St Patrick's Day parade and events — mid-March, date varies (check)
- Cherry blossom season begins — late March, weather-dependent (check)
- Spring food and drink events across the city — dates vary (check)
- College spring break — late March, campus areas busier (check)
- Ski season still running in the Cascades — through March (check)
Where to go in March
Plan around the rain rather than against it. Indoor anchors such as the market, museums and the aquarium fill a wet morning; parks, waterfronts and ferries work on the brighter afternoons. Because daylight is long by late March, you can do an outdoor block after 4pm.
Mountain and national-park day trips are the weak point: many high roads and trails are still under snow, and low cloud often hides the views. If mountains are the reason for your trip, this is the month to wait.
For a full list of city sights and neighbourhoods, see things to do in Seattle.
- Indoor: market, museums, aquarium, bookshops, coffee bars
- Outdoor: waterfront, parks, ferries, neighbourhood walks
- Day trips: islands and lowland towns; high mountain roads often closed (check)
| If the weather is… | Do this |
|---|---|
| Wet | Market, museums, aquarium, coffee |
| Dry but grey | Waterfront walk, ferry ride, neighbourhood stroll |
| Clear | Viewpoint or waterfront at sunset; mountain day trip |
| Snowy in the mountains | Ski areas in the Cascades, if you have a car |
What to pack
Pack for wet and cool, not for cold. A waterproof shell with a hood, a warm mid-layer, shoes that handle puddles and a small umbrella cover almost every March day. Add a hat and gloves for ferry decks and evening walks.
Bring a daypack that keeps a laptop or camera dry, and a refillable bottle. If you plan a mountain day trip, add a warmer layer and check road and pass conditions the night before.
- Waterproof shell with a hood
- Warm mid-layer and one warmer top
- Water-resistant shoes
- Small umbrella
- Hat and light gloves
- Refillable water bottle
- Daypack with rain cover
Nearby months
March is a transition month: February is colder and darker, April is milder and greener, and May is usually the first month that feels reliably pleasant. If your dates are flexible, moving the trip one month later buys noticeably better weather for a modest price increase.
- Seattle in February — colder, darker, similar rain
- Seattle in April — milder, more blossoms, still showery
- Seattle in May — drier and greener, prices rising
- Seattle in January — the deepest low season
- Best time to visit Seattle — month-by-month comparison
Questions people ask
Is March a good time to visit Seattle?
It is a maybe. You get low prices and thin crowds, but rain on roughly half the days and often-cloudy mountain views. Good for a city break with indoor plans; wait for July or August if dry weather and mountain scenery matter most.
What is the weather like in Seattle in March?
Cool and wet: daytime highs near 11 °C, overnight lows near 4 °C, and rain on about half the days, usually light drizzle rather than heavy rain. Snow in the city is rare. Daylight lengthens quickly after the early-March clock change.
What events happen in Seattle in March?
St Patrick's Day events around 17 March, the start of cherry blossom season in late March, spring food and drink events, and college spring break. Dates vary each year, so confirm before booking around one.
Is March cheaper than summer in Seattle?
Yes. March is low season, so hotel rates and airfares are usually well below July and August levels. Spring-break weekends and event weekends are the exceptions.
Can I visit the mountains near Seattle in March?
Partly. Ski areas in the Cascades are still running, but many high roads and trails are snowbound or closed, and low cloud often blocks the views. Check conditions before driving.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialNational Weather Service – Seattle
- officialNOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
- officialVisit Seattle
- officialWashington State Tourism
- secondaryWikivoyage – Seattle