Manchester in March: a seasonal travel plan
Manchester, United Kingdom. In march, the average daytime high is 9.0 °C and the night-time low is 2.6 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
Choose a month
Selected month: March
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Manchester
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- 9.0 °C
- Nighttime low
- 2.6 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 86.3 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 16.0
- Daylight
- 11.8 h
2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.
Early, middle and late month
| Period | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Days with at least 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | 7.2 | 1.3 | 5.6 |
| Days 11–20 | 9.4 | 3.2 | 5.8 |
| From day 21 | 10.4 | 3.1 | 4.6 |
What this month is like
Manchester, United Kingdom. In march, the average daytime high is 9.0 °C and the night-time low is 2.6 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
There are 16.0 wet days on average, with about 86.3 mm of precipitation. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
How to plan the day
Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
Average daylight is 11.8 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.
What to pack
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
Precipitation is frequent. Keep several indoor activities in your plans and fit longer walks between them.
What to pack
A warm coat, closed shoes, a scarf and several clothing layers will be useful. Add a waterproof outer layer and shoes that dry quickly.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 7.1 °C, March — 9.0 °C, next month — 11.7 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 15.6, 16.0 and 11.3.
Things to do
Manchester grew on cotton and canals, and brick mills, warehouses and waterways still shape the centre. The city is compact, with Piccadilly station ten minutes on foot from the Northern Quarter, and Metrolink trams run out to Salford Quays and the suburbs.
Northern Quarter
Murals cover the walls of the Northern Quarter, and its coffee shops and record stores can fill a whole day. Step into Afflecks, where vintage stalls and studios share one large building.
Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry holds steam engines, textile machinery and the world's oldest surviving passenger railway station on Liverpool Road. It sits beside the Castlefield canal, and admission is free.
John Rylands Library
The John Rylands Library on Deansgate opens a reading room under neo-Gothic vaults where university students work. Entry is free, and the cathedral and the Victorian quarter are a short walk away.
Where to stay
Northern Quarter
The Northern Quarter suits anyone who wants bars, coffee shops and independent stores five minutes from the station. Evenings are busy and loud, so look north of Oldham Street for a quieter room.
Castlefield
Castlefield surrounds the canals and old warehouses that now hold flats and waterside pubs. The area is quiet and green, though shops and restaurants mean a fifteen-minute walk into the centre.
Salford Quays
Salford Quays, with its television tower, the Imperial War Museum North and several bridges, sits across the Irwell from the centre. It is calm and worth a visit, but the tram is the easy way back after dark.
Getting there and around
Trains from Manchester Airport reach Piccadilly station in about twenty minutes, and the Metrolink tram connects the airport directly with the centre. Inside the city the tram serves Salford Quays and the outer districts well, while the centre is best on foot. Piccadilly and Victoria stations are linked by trains and trams, so changing between them costs little time.
Three days in Manchester
Centre and Northern Quarter
Walk from Piccadilly past the Victorian bank buildings on King Street to the town hall and cathedral, then turn into the Northern Quarter. Visit the John Rylands Library during the day and have dinner on Thomas Street.
Canals and industry
Begin at the Museum of Science and Industry and follow the Castlefield canals, where cast-iron bridges cross between arched warehouses. In the afternoon walk to Deansgate and go up the Beetham Tower viewing floor.
Salford Quays and football
Take the tram to Salford Quays for the Imperial War Museum North and the Millennium Bridge. If a match is on, keep the evening for Old Trafford or the Etihad.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6.1 | 1.8 | 92.6 | 17.5 | 8.1 |
| February | 7.1 | 2.0 | 88.4 | 15.6 | 9.8 |
| March | 9.0 | 2.6 | 86.3 | 16.0 | 11.8 |
| April | 11.7 | 3.6 | 52.0 | 11.3 | 14.0 |
| May | 15.3 | 6.9 | 66.4 | 14.0 | 15.9 |
| June | 18.2 | 9.8 | 75.1 | 14.4 | 16.9 |
| July | 19.4 | 11.7 | 90.3 | 17.7 | 16.5 |
| August | 19.3 | 11.7 | 83.3 | 16.5 | 14.8 |
| September | 17.1 | 9.8 | 85.9 | 16.4 | 12.7 |
| October | 13.5 | 7.3 | 103.6 | 16.7 | 10.6 |
| November | 9.1 | 4.4 | 98.8 | 18.4 | 8.7 |
| December | 7.3 | 3.4 | 115.4 | 20.1 | 7.6 |
Frequently asked questions
Manchester: what is the temperature in March?
The average daytime high is 9.0 °C and the night-time low is 2.6 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and indoor activities for mornings and evenings.
How many days with precipitation are there in March?
On average, there are 16.0 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 86.3 mm. Precipitation is frequent. Keep several indoor activities in your plans and fit longer walks between them.
What should I pack for walks in March?
A warm coat, closed shoes, a scarf and several clothing layers will be useful. Add a waterproof outer layer and shoes that dry quickly.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — 7.2 °C; 11–20 — 9.4 °C; 21 to month-end — 10.4 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in March?
The average is 11.8 hours. Spread walks between the morning and afternoon, then leave the evening for dinner or indoor activities.
Is Manchester worth visiting in March?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around 9.0 °C and nights around 2.6 °C work for you. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
What can I do in Manchester on a wet day in March?
Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag. Keep a museum, market, café or another indoor route near your accommodation.
What should I pack for Manchester in March?
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. Average daylight is 11.8 hours.