What March feels like in Vancouver
In Vancouver, March brings early spring. Afternoons feel chilly — fine for exploring on foot if you are dressed for it. The gap between afternoon and night is small, so nights are cold and the temperature hardly changes after dark. Damp air makes the cold feel rawer than the numbers alone suggest.
Rain in Vancouver in March
Dry days are the exception, with rain on most days. Rain tends to come in heavy bursts: about 12.3 mm (0.5 in) on an average rainy day. That is close to Vancouver's typical rain per wet day for the whole year (about 12.1 mm).
Daylight and sunshine in March
Mid-month, Vancouver gets 11 h 48 min of daylight, from sunrise near 7:28 am to sunset near 7:16 pm. The days are stretching out — 1 h 41 min more daylight than mid-February. About 58% of daylight hours are sunny; in short, sun and cloud share the day.
How March compares to the rest of the year
In Vancouver's temperature order, March sits as the 5th coolest month. Afternoons run 2.4°C (4.3°F) warmer than in February, with 73 mm more rain. April continues the upward trend. April averages a high of 11.8°C (53.2°F).
Who March suits
- Sightseeing: less ideal — rain falls on more than half the days.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — too cool to sit outside for long.
- Beach: less ideal — the sea air is too cool.
- Hiking: less ideal — trails are cool.
- Museums & indoor: a good choice — with rain on most days, galleries and museums make easy plans.
Tips for visiting Vancouver in March
Rain Protection
A compact umbrella and a light waterproof jacket.
Warm Layers
A proper winter coat, with gloves and a hat for early starts.
Quick questions
How warm is Vancouver in March?
Expect around 8.8°C (47.8°F) in the afternoon and 2.9°C (37.2°F) at night, which most visitors would call chilly.
Does it rain a lot in Vancouver in March?
Quite a lot — 234 mm spread over about 19 days.
What should I wear in Vancouver in March?
Based on the averages: rain protection and warm layers. Evenings feel similar to the day, so the same clothes work from morning to night.
Is March or April better for visiting Vancouver?
On our 12-month climate ranking, April comes out ahead (#7 of 12 vs #10). April is warmer and has fewer rainy days.