Chicago · March
Run in the midday.
Cold: average high 43°F, low 30°F. Layering becomes the workout. Cold mornings warm into runnable midday hours — the windows around noon catch the warmest temperatures.
Avg high / low
43° / 30°F
Humidity
74%
Rain days
15/mo
Wind
17 mph
What March feels like in Chicago
Sunrise
06:59
Mid-month average
Sunset
18:58
Mid-month average
Time-of-day breakdown
Morning
Coolest, driest air of the day. The window before sunrise is the most reliable comfortable hour.
Midday
Often the warmest few hours of a cold day. If you can only run once, midday gives you the most temperate window.
Evening
Cold drops back in fast after sunset. Tight window — done before headlamp territory.
What to wear running in Chicago in March
The kit for March in Chicago: cold-weather layers, gloves, and ear coverage on most mornings, a wind-blocking layer for exposed routes, a water-resistant cap or jacket on standby.
March vs the surrounding months
vs February
+10° avg high
+3 rain days
Chicago in February →
March
43°F avg high
15 rain days
Best: midday
vs April
-10° avg high
-1 rain days
Chicago in April →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of day to run in Chicago in March?+
Midday. Cold mornings warm into runnable midday hours — the windows around noon catch the warmest temperatures.
What's the average temperature in Chicago in March?+
Average high 43°F, average low 30°F.
How does March compare to surrounding months in Chicago?+
Compared to February (avg high 33°F), March is warmer. Compared to April (avg high 53°F), March is cooler.
Does it rain often in Chicago in March?+
Expect about 15 measurable rain days in March, on average.