Home > Visitors Guide > Weather > Amsterdam weather in March

Amsterdam weather in March

What is Amsterdam’s March weather like?

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Café 't Loosje, Nieuwmarkt, Amsterdam
At the first sign of sunshine Amsterdammers take to the terraces. Shown is popular café ‘t Loosje, at the Nieuwmarkt, in downtown Amsterdam

March in Amsterdam, as in all of the Netherlands, is characterized by erratic weather. Indeed, the old joke that there are four seasons a day in the Netherlands is more true in March than in any other month.

What kind of weather you encounter is a matter of luck. But it can range from dull, dreary and cold to bright, sunny and “warm” – at least for this time of the year.

Normally in March in the Netherlands, you can expect lots of relatively short showers. Count on temperatures between 1°C and 10°C (33.8°F and 50°F).

Amsterdam Weather Forecast, March 2023

Current Weather

Updated March 30, 2023

We update this Amsterdam weather forecast throughout March.

During the rest of the year see the general information on this page.

Note: Even in March the feels-like temperature can be several degrees lower than those shown.

This week: Sunrise: 7:20 (7:20 am) — Sunset: 20:10 (8:10 pm)

Cannot travel here right now? Here’s how to pretend you’re in Amsterdam

Thursday, March 30, 2023 — Overcast from early morning until about noon. Sunny intervals in the afternoon — initially ±20% sunshine, gradually increasing to about 80% sunshine in the late afternoon and early evening. Slight possibility of a brief, light rain shower in the afternoon. Afternoon high 13° C | 55.4° F.

Friday, March 31, 2023 — Overcast and light rain, all day — until Saturday evening. Middag high temperature 11° C | 51.8° F.

Long Term Amsterdam Forecast

Where our weather information comes from

Our weather information is based on forecasts and long-term averages as reported by various meteorological services, including the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI).

Normal High and Low Temperatures in March

1-10: 1.7 / 7.8° Celsius (35.06 / 46.04° Fahrenheit)
11-20: 2.8 / 9.3° Celsius (37.04 / 48.74° Fahrenheit)
21-31: 3.4 / 10.6° Celsius (38.12 / 51.08° Fahrenheit)

Café Marcella, on Amstelveld in Amsterdam
Customers take to the terrace of Café Marcella at Amstelveld, Amsterdam on a spring-like day in March

Things to do in Amsterdam

Don’t Spend Your Amsterdam Vacation Standing In Line

The month of March falls in the shoulder season of Amsterdam. (So do April and May, as well as September and November).

Tourists who visit the city during these months take advantage of lower hotel rates. [See our Amsterdam Hotel Guide].

Before the pandemic even the shoulder season got pretty crowded with tourists. Many industry professionals expect a sharp uptick in visitors now that most coronavirus restrictions have been lifted.

Many buy their tickets for museums, tours, public transport ahead of time.

GetYourGuide, our trusted ticket partner

GetYourGuide is DutchAmsterdam’s trusted ticket partner for skip-the-line tickets, tours, and excursions in Amsterdam and beyond

Your GetYourGuide Ticket Advantage:

Authorized Ticket Seller
Verified legal tour operators
Printed or Mobile Voucher OK
Skip-the-Line (if available)
Instant Confirmation
Easy Cancellation

Amsterdam Climate in March

On average it will snow somewhere in Holland (we should actually say the Netherlands instead) on 4 days this month. Hail can be expected on 3 days, and a thundershower on 1 day.

Holland is no stranger to extreme weather. In March 2005 a temperature of -20,7°C (-5°F) was measured in Marknesse, north-east of Amsterdam.

But while night frost is common, particularly in the first half of the month, the average daytime temperature ranges from 4°C (39°F) at the start of the month to 8°C(46°F) at the end.

On average there are 3 days during which the temperature reaches about 15°C (59°F).

This is the month that cafè terraces will include higher numbers of Amsterdam locals rather than just tourists willing to brave the cold for the experience.

Mind you, a Dutch rhyme goes, “Maart roert zijn staart” — ‘March wags its tail.’ It’s a reference to the fact that while Spring starts on March 21, the weather can still be very cold and winter-like even at the end of the month.

On average March has 5 days during which the sun isn’t seen at all. That said, the sun is out 33% of the time that it can shine (compared to 33% – 43% April through August).

The inner courtyard of the Begijnhof - Beguinage - in the center of Amsterdam
The inner courtyard of the Begijnhof – Beguinage – in the center of Amsterdam. Photographed on a sunny day in March.

Amsterdam Weather Facts: March

Temperatures
• Average lows: 1.1° C (34° F)
• Average highs: 8.8° C (48° F)

Sunrise & Sunset
• March 1 – 7:28 a.m. / 6:19 p.m
• March 31 – 7:19 a.m. / 8:12 p.m. (See ‘Central European Summer Time‘)

Rainfall
• Average: 66 mm (2.6 inches) in 72 hours

March Tips

  • Cold days with sunny weather are perfect for taking photos with bright, vivid colors. With the trees still bare you have good views of the gabled canal-side houses. Grey and rainy days are perfect for experimenting with black & white photography.
  • As the month progresses the days grow longer. At the end of March the sun doesn’t set until about 8:15 p.m.
  • While you will likely need an umbrella, there’s no need to pack one. Get yourself a cheap ‘throw away’ brolly at Etos, HEMA, or a souvenir shop.
  • On clear, sunny days join Amsterdammers and your fellow tourists by having a drink or two at a café terrace.

What to wear in Amsterdam in March: Packing List

Here’s what you should pack for your trip:

You’ll want to bring warm clothes, including sweaters, long-sleeved sweats, and a winter proof coat or jacket.

Warm socks and/or padded insoles are not a luxury.

Count on the fact that you will want to dress in layers. Cafés, coffeeshops, restaurants — as well as venues such as cinemas and theaters — tend to be well-heated.

Do you wear eyeglasses? Bring a reusable anti-fog wipe. You’ll thank us each time you come in from the cold. Great for camera lenses as well.

This luggage receives top reviews from Amazon.com customers.

Daylight Saving Time in Amsterdam

Daylight Saving Time Amsterdam 2023
Amsterdam Daylight Saving Time starts Sunday, March 26, 2023. At 2:00 a.m. the clock jumps forward to 3:00 a.m.

At 2:00 a.m. CET (Central European Time) / 2:00 a.m. CUT (Coordinated Universal Time)1 on the last Sunday in March (2022: March 27), the Netherlands switches to Central European Summer Time (known in the U.S. as Daylight Saving Time) — which means the clock jumps forward by 1 hour.2

Summer time ends at 3:00 a.m. CEST (Central European Summer Time3) on the last Sunday of October (2022: Oct. 30).

In other words:

  • In Amsterdam on March 27, 2022 at 2:00 a.m. the clocks will move forward to 3:00 a.m.
  • That means you lose one hour of sleep (or partying). You get this hour back on the last Sunday of October.
  • If you fail to adjust your clocks, you will show up for appointments one hour too late.4

Amsterdam Weather in Other Months

More Amsterdam Tourist Information

Most Popular Right Now

[do_widget title=false class=has-medium-font-size id=”top-posts-4″]

Notes:

  1. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is often casually interchanged with Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) but there are some differences, particularly when considering fractions of a second
  2. An easy way to remember whether the time moves forward or backward is the phrase: “Spring forward; Fall backward” or “Spring ahead; Fall behind”
  3. Some tourist guides refer to Central European Daylight Saving Time (CEDT) instead of Central European Summer Time (CEST) to avoid confusion with Central European Standard Time (CEST). Makes sense…
  4. The clocks on computers, mobile phones and various gadgets will usually adjust by themselves. Make sure you adjust other clocks and watches yourself. Yes, you can do so before you go to bed.
Hello! Our original content is protected by © Copyright DutchAmsterdam .nl
Do not republish or repost. Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape

GetYourGuide is our Trusted Ticket Partner

Why stand in line during your vacation? Beat the crowds by booking Amsterdam Tours, Skip the Line Tickets, Museums, Excursions and Activities online.

Your GetYourGuide Ticket Advantage:
Authorized Ticket Seller
Verified legal tour operators
Printed or Mobile Voucher Accepted
Skip-the-Line (if available)
Instant Confirmation
Easy Cancellation

About This Article

Category: Weather
Related to: ,

An Amsterdammer last updated this post on CET (Central European Time)

   
Transparency:
The DutchAmsterdam website includes affiliate links. That means we get a small commission — at no additional cost to you — for each purchase you make. Your support helps us provide this site free of charge. Naturally, as our Editorial Policy states, our content is never influenced by our advertisers or affiliates.