United States New Orleans Weather in March — Climate Guide
March in New Orleans is very-good
New Orleans Weather in March — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 22° / 13°
- Rainfall
- 130mm · 8 days
- Crowds
- Busy
As of 2026, New Orleans in March averages a high of 22°C and low of 13°C with 130mm of rain over about 8 days. Comfortable spring — T-shirt with light cardigan, jeans, sneakers. Sunglasses + light umbrella for spring showers. Smart-casual for Galatoire's Friday lunch (jackets recommended for men).
March is very-good for New Orleans.
March is the canonical New Orleans value-for-quality window. Mardi Gras is over (unless Fat Tuesday falls early March), weather is at its kindest (22°C highs, 8 rainy days, low humidity), and hotel rates drop -30% from Mardi Gras peak but stay strong on St. Patrick's Day weekend (parades + green beer chaos).
This is the right month for first-time NOLA visitors who want the city without the Mardi Gras crush. Garden District streetcar tours, Lafayette Cemetery No.1 above-ground tomb walks, Frenchmen Street jazz, Cochon + Commander's Palace + Galatoire's reservations all feasible.
Travel score
Best weather of year + Mardi Gras chaos gone — value-for-quality peak
March Weather at a Glance
March averages 72°F / 22°C highs and 55°F / 13°C lows with 8 rainy days and 130mm of rainfall. Humidity drops to 73% (year's most comfortable). Sunshine 7 hours. Conditions ideal for French Quarter walking, Garden District tours, and outdoor Frenchmen Street jazz courtyards.
March Travel Advice
St. Patrick's Day weekend (Mar 17 or closest weekend) hotel rates spike — book 2-3 months ahead if visiting then. Tennessee Williams Festival (late March) is literary-focused; book Hotel Monteleone (festival HQ) 1-2 months ahead. Mardi Gras Indians Super Sunday (3rd Sunday) is the cultural highlight — Bayou St. John area, free, authentic.
Flying In from Overseas
Spring break + Easter (early or late March/April depending on year) drives US + Canadian inbound. Direct flights from Toronto $300-500, Mexico City $300-450 (Volaris), London $500-800. Korean spring break partial overlap. Australian autumn shoulder.
March Pricing Trends
Shoulder pricing returns: French Quarter 4-star $220-400/night, Garden District B&B $250-450, Ritz-Carlton $400-700. St. Patrick's Day weekend +30-50%. Hotel Monteleone Tennessee Williams Festival rooms book fastest.
New Orleans March Weather Stats
Avg High
22°C
Avg Low
13°C
Rainy Days
8
130mm total
Sunshine
7h
Daily avg
Humidity
73%
moderate
UV Index
5
Moderate
Wind
11 km/h
Gusts 22
Sea Temp
0°C
not swimmable
Crowds
Busy
At attractions
March Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
20 μg/m³
PM10
40 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
22°C
Nighttime
13°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
11 km/h
Max gust 22 km/h
Activities Recommended for March
March Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best weather of year (22°C, low humidity)
- Mardi Gras crowds gone
- Mardi Gras Indians Super Sunday
- Reservation-feasible for top restaurants
Cons
- St. Patrick's weekend hotel spike
- Tennessee Williams Festival drives literary crowd
- Some rain possible
March Events & Festivals
- St. Patrick's Day Parade (Mar 17 — Irish Channel + French Quarter)
- Tennessee Williams Festival late March (literary)
- Super Sunday Mardi Gras Indians (3rd Sunday)
New Orleans in March — Full Picture
March is the canonical New Orleans value-for-quality window. Mardi Gras is over (unless Fat Tuesday falls early March), weather is at its kindest (22°C highs, 8 rainy days, low humidity), and hotel rates drop -30% from Mardi Gras peak but stay strong on St. Patrick's Day weekend (parades + green beer chaos).
This is the right month for first-time NOLA visitors who want the city without the Mardi Gras crush. Garden District streetcar tours, Lafayette Cemetery No.1 above-ground tomb walks, Frenchmen Street jazz, Cochon + Commander's Palace + Galatoire's reservations all feasible.
Mardi Gras Indians (Black masking Indians) parade on Super Sunday (3rd Sunday of March) in Uptown's Bayou St. John area — one of the most authentic cultural experiences in New Orleans, separate from tourist Mardi Gras.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Comfortable spring — T-shirt with light cardigan, jeans, sneakers. Sunglasses + light umbrella for spring showers. Smart-casual for Galatoire's Friday lunch (jackets recommended for men).
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
Current25.7°C
17°C
7.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
32.7°C
24.7°C
10.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
27°C
17.7°C
7.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
18°C
9°C
8.7/mo
New Orleans Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17° | 8° | 9d·130mm | 5h | 75% | 3 | Quiet | Low season | |
| February (Best) | 19° | 10° | 8d·130mm | 6h | 75% | 4 | Very busy | Peak |
| March (Best) | 22° | 13° | 8d·130mm | 7h | 73% | 5 | Busy | Peak |
| April (Best) | 26° | 17° | 7d·110mm | 8h | 73% | 7 | Busy | Peak |
| 29° | 21° | 7d·130mm | 9h | 75% | 8 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 32° | 24° | 10d·170mm | 9h | 80% | 9 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 33° | 25° | 11d·170mm | 9h | 81% | 10 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 33° | 25° | 11d·160mm | 8h | 81% | 9 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 31° | 23° | 9d·150mm | 8h | 79% | 7 | Quiet | Low season | |
| October (Best) | 28° | 18° | 6d·100mm | 8h | 73% | 6 | Moderate | Shoulder |
| November (Best) | 22° | 12° | 7d·110mm | 7h | 73% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder |
| 18° | 9° | 9d·130mm | 5h | 75% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder |
View Other Months
New Orleans March Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is March a good time to visit New Orleans?
New Orleans in March is very-good. Tourist crowds are busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in New Orleans in March?
New Orleans March averages a high of 22°C and a low of 13°C.
Does it rain much in New Orleans in March?
New Orleans March averages 130mm of rainfall over about 8 rainy days.
What should I wear in New Orleans in March?
Comfortable spring — T-shirt with light cardigan, jeans, sneakers. Sunglasses + light umbrella for spring showers. Smart-casual for Galatoire's Friday lunch (jackets recommended for men).
What time are sunrise and sunset in New Orleans in March?
New Orleans March sunrise is 06:15 and sunset is 18:10, with 11h 55min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in New Orleans in March?
New Orleans March air quality (AQI) averages 50, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 20μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in New Orleans in March?
In March, New Orleans is great for French Quarter walking, Garden District streetcar, Lafayette Cemetery.
Is March peak season in New Orleans?
New Orleans March crowds are busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit New Orleans
View Other Months
Planning a March trip to New Orleans?
You've checked the weather — next come the budget and the route.
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.