Month guide · Ottawa · Canada
Ottawa in March
What March is really like in Ottawa: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Hayden Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
March is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 2°C (36°F), lows of -7°C (19°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 11.8 hours of daylight. The thaw begins, with slushy streets and the start of sugar-shack season in the surrounding countryside.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 2°C (36°F) / -7°C (19°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 11.8 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in March
March is the 9th-warmest month in Ottawa: days average 2°C (36°F) against a yearly average high of 11°C (52°F), and nights fall to about -7°C (19°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with February (-4°C (25°F)), March is warmer; by April highs climb to around 11°C (52°F).
- Sunrise (15 March)
- About 07:16
- Sunset (15 March)
- About 19:09
- Daylight
- About 11.8 hours
Spring (March–May). Snowmelt and slush in March and April give way to the Tulip Festival in May, one of the prettiest times in the city.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, March rates 2 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in July). That makes March one of the better-value months to book.
Events in March
- Sugar-shack season around Ottawa and in Quebec (usually March–April)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in March
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Experience · Rideau Canal
Rideau Canal Skateway
Check the National Capital Commission's ice status before you plan around it; the best conditions are usually from mid-January to mid-February.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Active
- Kids
- Couples
Landmark · Downtown and Parliament Hill
National War Memorial and Confederation Square
The granite arch and bronze figures of The Response stand in Confederation Square, with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at their base.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Iconic
Market · ByWard Market and Lowertown
ByWard Market
Come in the morning for the outdoor vendors, and return in the evening for patios and bars.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Free
- After dark
Religious site · ByWard Market and Lowertown
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
Ottawa's oldest surviving church, completed in the 19th century, has twin silver spires visible across Lowertown and a vaulted ceiling painted deep blue with gold stars above carved wooden galleries and stained glass.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
What to pack
For highs near 2°C, lows near -7°C and 11 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is March a good time to visit Ottawa?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Ottawa in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is March a good time to visit Ottawa?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. The thaw begins, with slushy streets and the start of sugar-shack season in the surrounding countryside.
+How warm is Ottawa in March?
Average highs are around 2°C (36°F) and lows around -7°C (19°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Ottawa in March?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.