Canada Montreal Weather in March — Climate Guide
March in Montreal is Moderate
March is Moderate for Montreal.
March marks winter tail + early spring transition. -6 to 2°C + rain + snow mix + slush. Montreal en Lumière finishes (Nuit Blanche on the first Saturday is the all-night free outdoor festival) + Sugar Shack season starts (Cabane à sucre, maple syrup, mid-March to mid-April, Quebec's #1 cultural experience, 1h drive outskirts) + St. Patrick's Day Parade (Sunday closest to Mar 17, Canada's #1, founded 1824).
Low-season tail pricing in the first half before April climb. RÉSO Underground + museums + Sugar Shack 1-day outskirts trip are the right indoor + day-trip combination.
Travel score
Winter tail + Sugar Shack starts + St. Patrick's Day
March Weather at a Glance
March averages 36°F / 2°C highs and 21°F / -6°C lows with 5.5 sunshine hours and a mix of rain + snow (13 wet days). First half feels like winter; second half like early spring. Sunrise 6 AM, sunset 7 PM (after DST clock change on second Sunday) = 13 hours daylight. The freeze-thaw cycle creates iconic Montreal slush.
March Travel Advice
Pack for two seasons — heavy boots + sneakers, parka + lighter jacket, gloves + bare hands. Sugar Shack outskirts day trip (mid-March to mid-April) — book Au Pied de Cochon Sugar Shack 3 months ahead (sells out the day reservations open), or pick Sucrerie de la Montagne (family value, $33-52). St. Patrick's Day Parade Sunday closest to March 17 — book hotels 4 weeks ahead.
Flying In from Overseas
March break week (Quebec schools, second week) drives domestic family travel — slight hotel uptick. International tourism still in shoulder. US spring break week (mid-March) brings American university students. Direct flights from London $550-850, Paris $500-800, NYC $150-300.
March Pricing Trends
Pre-peak shoulder pricing: 4-star Downtown $135-300/night, 5-star $260-500, Plateau boutique $90-220. Sugar Shack family meal $33-52/person. St. Patrick's Day weekend hotels +20-30%. Au Pied de Cochon Sugar Shack $60-90/person (book 3 months ahead).
Montreal March Weather Stats
Avg High
2°C
Avg Low
-6°C
Rainy Days
13
75mm total
Sunshine
5.5h
Daily avg
Humidity
70%
Comfortable
UV Index
3
Moderate
Wind
16 km/h
Gusts 34
Sea Temp
1°C
Not swimmable
Snow Days
10
Monthly avg
Crowds
Quiet
At attractions
March Sunrise & Sunset
Expect about 10 snow days this month. Bring slip-resistant shoes and warm gear.
Air Quality
PM2.5
9 μg/m³
PM10
18 μg/m³
Status
Good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
0°C
Nighttime
-10°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
16 km/h
Max gust 34 km/h
Activities Recommended for March
March Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Montreal en Lumière + Nuit Blanche all-night free
- St. Patrick's Day Parade Canada's #1 since 1824
- Sugar Shack maple syrup season starts
Cons
- Sub-zero still possible first half
- Slush + dirty snow melt
- Variable outdoor weather (warm one day, cold next)
March Events & Festivals
- Montreal en Lumière — first week of March (final weekend + Nuit Blanche)
- Cabane à sucre / Sugar Shack season (mid-Mar to mid-Apr, Quebec signature)
- St. Patrick's Day Parade — Sunday closest to Mar 17 (founded 1824, Canada's oldest continuous St. Pat's parade)
- International Festival of Films on Art (FIFA, mid-Mar)
Montreal in March — Full Picture
March marks winter tail + early spring transition. -6 to 2°C + rain + snow mix + slush. Montreal en Lumière finishes (Nuit Blanche on the first Saturday is the all-night free outdoor festival) + Sugar Shack season starts (Cabane à sucre, maple syrup, mid-March to mid-April, Quebec's #1 cultural experience, 1h drive outskirts) + St. Patrick's Day Parade (Sunday closest to Mar 17, Canada's #1, founded 1824).
Low-season tail pricing in the first half before April climb. RÉSO Underground + museums + Sugar Shack 1-day outskirts trip are the right indoor + day-trip combination.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Winter tail + early spring transition. Layered jacket + sweater + waterproof boots + scarf. Slush + occasional rain — waterproof outer layer. Sub-zero possible early month; mild +5°C late month. Pack for both ends.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
Current10.7°C
1°C
13/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
25°C
14.7°C
11.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
13°C
5°C
12.7/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
-3.3°C
-12°C
13.3/mo
Montreal Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -5° | -14° | 14d·78mm | 3h | 75% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| -3° | -12° | 12d·62mm | 4.5h | 72% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 2° | -6° | 13d·75mm | 5.5h | 70% | 3 | Quiet | Shoulder | |
| 11° | 1° | 13d·80mm | 7h | 65% | 5 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| May (Best) | 19° | 8° | 13d·75mm | 8h | 62% | 6 | Moderate | Shoulder |
| June (Best) | 24° | 13° | 12d·87mm | 9.5h | 65% | 8 | Busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 26° | 16° | 12d·90mm | 10h | 67% | 9 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 25° | 15° | 11d·88mm | 9h | 70% | 7 | Very busy | Peak |
| September (Best) | 20° | 11° | 12d·87mm | 7.5h | 72% | 5 | Busy | Peak |
| 13° | 5° | 12d·78mm | 6h | 75% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 6° | -1° | 14d·92mm | 3.5h | 78% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| -2° | -10° | 14d·88mm | 2.5h | 78% | 1 | Busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Montreal March Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is March a good time to visit Montreal?
Montreal in March is Moderate. Tourist crowds are quiet and flight/hotel prices are shoulder.
What's the average temperature in Montreal in March?
Montreal March averages a high of 2°C and a low of -6°C.
Does it rain much in Montreal in March?
Montreal March averages 75mm of rainfall over about 13 rainy days.
What should I wear in Montreal in March?
Winter tail + early spring transition. Layered jacket + sweater + waterproof boots + scarf. Slush + occasional rain — waterproof outer layer. Sub-zero possible early month; mild +5°C late month. Pack for both ends.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Montreal in March?
Montreal March sunrise is 06:00 and sunset is 19:00, with 13h of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Montreal in March?
Montreal March air quality (AQI) averages 30, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 9μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Montreal in March?
In March, Montreal is great for Nuit Blanche all-night free, St. Patrick's Day Parade, Sugar Shack outskirts.
Is March peak season in Montreal?
Montreal March crowds are quiet and prices are shoulder. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Montreal
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.