Your March weather guide
MildWeather in Rome in March
March is a good time for Rome if you want mild weather for exploring rather than a warm-weather holiday. Average daytime highs are around 15°C, but nights fall to about 6°C, so a coat still earns its place in your bag. With about 10 rainy days, flexible plans matter more than packing for sunshine alone. Go for comfortable walking weather between showers; choose another month if sitting outside late in light clothing is the priority.
Long-term climate averages for Rome, not a forecast · 1991-2020
Rome, month by month
Your snapshot
At a glance
The useful details for Rome.
- Average daytime high
- 15.2°C
- 9 in 10 days stay below 19°C
- Average night-time low
- 5.9°C
- coldest 10% of nights: 2°C or lower
- Compared with London
- +4.7°C
- London averages 10.5°C in March
- Sea temperature
- 13.9°C
- year to year: 13°C to 15°C
- Sunshine per day (est.)
- 5.8h
- 50% of 11.7 h of daylight
- Rainy days (1 mm+)
- 10
- 75 mm over the month
- Humidity
- 76%
- Days over 25°C
- 0%
- none over 30°C
- Record high 1991-2020
- 24.1°C
- 1991-03-24
- Record low 1991-2020
- -2.2°C
- 1996-03-06
- Flight from London
- ≈ 2 h 30 min
- 1411 km, short-haul (estimate for a direct flight)
Records are observed extremes within 1991-2020, not typical holiday conditions. Warm-day percentages are shares of days, not day counts.
How March compares
March is the 9th warmest month of the year in Rome and ranks 95th of 134 destinations we compare for March - see where else is hot in March. Within Italy it is 3rd of 16 (Italy in March). Against London's average high of 10.5°C in March, Rome is 4.7°C warmer by day and 2.6°C warmer at night.
Daytime and night-time in March
The typical March day in Rome peaks at 15.2°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 18.6°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 5.9°C; one night in ten drops to 2.3°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest March day here reached 24.1°C (1991-03-24) and the coldest night -2.2°C (1996-03-06).
Rain in March
Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 10 days with 1 mm or more, 75 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest March was 2018 with 204 mm, the driest 1994 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 76%.
Sea temperature in March
The sea averages 13.9°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 13.4°C to 14.5°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (25.7°C).
Sunshine and daylight
Around 5.8 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.7 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:22 and sets about 18:16 local time in mid-March. Average cloud cover is 50%.
Is March a good time to visit Rome?
March is not the strongest month here: mild days and frequent rain. The best months for Rome on our scoring are July, August, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.
Mild afternoons, but keep your coat
The main advantage is being able to spend time walking without planning around strong midday heat. The warmer days can reach around 19°C or more, making a sunny afternoon feel noticeably softer than the average suggests. The catch comes after sunset: the coldest nights can fall to around 2°C or lower, so do not pack as though spring warmth is settled. Bring layers you can remove during the day, a proper outer layer for evenings and comfortable closed shoes. March suits travellers who prefer cool-to-mild conditions and are happy to dress for changing temperatures rather than rely on consistently warm days.
Leave room for rain in your plans
Rain is a meaningful part of the March trade-off, not something to dismiss because Rome is farther south. About 10 days have measurable rain, so take a waterproof jacket and shoes that can cope with wet pavements. That does not mean every rainy day is a washout, but it does make a rigid outdoor schedule less appealing. There are about 5.8 hours of sunshine within 11.7 hours of daylight, giving you scope to enjoy brighter spells without assuming clear skies throughout. Keep outdoor plans movable and have an indoor alternative ready. This is a month for using the forecast, rather than committing everything to fair weather.
A little perspective
Rome through the year
March is highlighted. See how it compares with the rest of the year.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11.6°C | 3.7°C | 14.7°C | 4.5 | 63 | 9 | 0% |
| February | 12.3°C | 3.7°C | 13.9°C | 5.4 | 72 | 9 | 0% |
| MarchSelected | 15.2°C | 5.9°C | 13.9°C | 5.8 | 75 | 10 | 0% |
| April | 18.0°C | 8.6°C | 15.2°C | 6.5 | 78 | 11 | 1% |
| May | 22.4°C | 12.5°C | 18.4°C | 8.0 | 58 | 9 | 23% |
| Junebest | 27.0°C | 16.6°C | 22.1°C | 10.2 | 33 | 5 | 71% |
| Julybest | 30.2°C | 19.4°C | 24.7°C | 12.0 | 22 | 4 | 95% |
| Augustbest | 30.6°C | 20.1°C | 25.7°C | 10.7 | 22 | 4 | 96% |
| September | 25.4°C | 16.5°C | 23.9°C | 7.5 | 81 | 9 | 56% |
| October | 21.0°C | 13.0°C | 21.5°C | 5.5 | 116 | 11 | 7% |
| November | 16.1°C | 9.0°C | 18.9°C | 4.3 | 130 | 12 | 0% |
| December | 12.4°C | 5.1°C | 16.3°C | 4.4 | 92 | 11 | 0% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
- Sea
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
Keep exploring
Similar in March
Closest matches on daytime temperature, sea temperature and sunshine, in other countries.
A little more detail
Rome in March FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
Is Rome hot in March?
Rome is mild in March: the average daytime high is 15.2°C and nights average 5.9°C. Days over 25°C are rare in March.
Can you swim in the sea in Rome in March?
The sea around Rome averages 13.9°C in March, which is cold for swimming without a wetsuit. Between 1991 and 2020 it ranged from 13°C to 15°C depending on the year.
How much does it rain in Rome in March?
Rome sees about 10 rainy days (1 mm or more) and 75 mm of rain in a typical March. The wettest March between 1991 and 2020 was 2018 (204 mm) and the driest was 1994 (0 mm).
How sunny is Rome in March?
Rome gets around 5.8 hours of sunshine a day in March out of 11.7 hours of daylight (estimated from average cloud cover).
How does Rome compare with the UK in March?
Rome is on average 4.7°C warmer than London by day in March (15.2°C against 10.5°C).
What is the hottest March on record in Rome?
Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest March day in Rome reached 24.1°C on 1991-03-24, and the coldest night dropped to -2.2°C on 1996-03-06.
How much warmer is Rome than London in March?
Rome's average daytime high is 15.2°C, compared with 10.5°C in London - a difference of 4.7°C. That is a useful lift for daytime exploring, but it is not summer warmth. Cool evenings and rain still call for layers and a waterproof.
Is the sea warm enough for swimming?
No, not for a comfortable holiday swim. The sea averages 13.9°C in March, which is cold rather than merely bracing. If swimming is central to your trip, March is a poor fit; its weather is better suited to walking with layers.
Is March a sensible choice for a short break?
Yes, if you value mild daytime weather more than reliable warmth. The flight from London takes about 2 h 30 min, making the journey short-haul. The main weather compromise is rain and chilly evenings, so keep outdoor plans flexible and pack a coat.
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid) and NOAA Coral Reef Watch 5 km sea temperatures, 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Rome. Sea temperature from the nearest 5 km sea cell, 26.6 km from that point. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C