What March feels like in Cologne
Early spring arrives in Cologne with March. Days are chilly rather than freezing, and walking is comfortable with a proper jacket. After sunset it cools off noticeably — nights are cold. Damp air makes the cold feel rawer than the numbers alone suggest.
Rain in Cologne in March
March is persistently wet here: some rain falls on about one day in 2. A rainy day brings about 5.4 mm (0.2 in) on average — steady rain rather than a passing shower. The yearly figure is similar, around 6 mm per wet day. It is among the three driest months of the year.
Daylight and sunshine in March
Mid-month, Cologne gets 11 h 47 min of daylight, from sunrise near 6:49 am to sunset near 6:35 pm. The days are stretching out — 1 h 47 min more daylight than mid-February. The sun is out for roughly 63% of those daylight hours, so there are plenty of bright spells.
How March compares to the rest of the year
Ranked by average high, March comes out as the 5th coolest month in Cologne. Afternoons run 3.4°C (6.1°F) warmer than in February, with 2 mm more rain. Temperatures keep climbing into April. April averages a high of 14.9°C (58.8°F).
Who March suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — the weather rarely gets in the way of a city walk.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — too cool to sit outside for long.
Tips for visiting Cologne in March
Versatile Layers
Pack pieces you can take off by noon and put back on at dusk.
Rain Protection
A compact umbrella and a light waterproof jacket.
Warm Layers
Insulated layers and warm shoes for the cold hours.
Sunglasses
Bright days make sunglasses worth packing.
Quick questions
How warm is Cologne in March?
It feels chilly: typical highs are 10.6°C (51.1°F), with lows near 2.6°C (36.7°F).
Does it rain a lot in Cologne in March?
Quite a lot — 70 mm spread over about 13 days.
What should I wear in Cologne in March?
Based on the averages: versatile layers, rain protection, warm layers and sunglasses. Bring something extra for the cooler evenings.
Is March or April better for visiting Cologne?
April scores better on our climate ranking (#2 of 12 vs #8), rated Good against Fair. April is warmer and has fewer rainy days.