Ottawa · March
Run in the midday.
Cold: average high 36°F, low 18°F. Layering becomes the workout. Cold mornings warm into runnable midday hours — the windows around noon catch the warmest temperatures.
Avg high / low
36° / 18°F
Humidity
71%
Rain days
15/mo
Wind
11 mph
What March feels like in Ottawa
Sunrise
07:12
Mid-month average
Sunset
19:09
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 Ottawa in March
The kit for March in Ottawa: cold-weather layers, gloves, and ear coverage on most mornings, a water-resistant cap or jacket on standby.
March vs the surrounding months
vs February
+9° avg high
0 rain days
Ottawa in February →
March
36°F avg high
15 rain days
Best: midday
vs April
-15° avg high
0 rain days
Ottawa in April →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of day to run in Ottawa in March?+
Midday. Cold mornings warm into runnable midday hours — the windows around noon catch the warmest temperatures.
What's the average temperature in Ottawa in March?+
Average high 36°F, average low 18°F.
How does March compare to surrounding months in Ottawa?+
Compared to February (avg high 26°F), March is warmer. Compared to April (avg high 51°F), March is cooler.
Does it rain often in Ottawa in March?+
Expect about 15 measurable rain days in March, on average.