What's the Weather like in Montreal in March
Temperature
March in Montreal indicates the pre-spring season, and features unpredictable weather. With the occasional spring-like weather to the major snow storm, March can bring in a myriad weather conditions from frigid and cold to wet and sunny.
Montreal's average March temperature ranges around -2 degrees Celsius from a maximum of 2 degrees Celsius to a minimum of -6 degrees Celsius.
Humidity & Rain
Montreal in March sees an increasing possibility of a rain-only day ranging from 9 per cent to 21 per cent over the course of the month.
With a total rainfall estimate around 60 mm, the city sees about 9 days of rainfall in total for the month of March.
Snow
The daily snowfall in Montreal over the course of March decreases gradually starting at a daily approximate amount at 1.0 inches in the beginning of the month, ending at 0.4 inches towards March end.
While the weather in March is highly unpredictable, one can expect major pre-spring snow storms throughout the month.
Sunshine Hours
March sees 21 per cent chances of experiencing sunshine over the course of the month.
With a total increase of about 1 hour 36 minutes over the course of the month, the shortest day in March sees 11 hours, 9 minutes of daylight and the longest day i.e. March 31st, sees 12 hours, 45 minutes of daylight.
Wind
Montreal's average wind speed remains constant between a minimum of 0.1 miles per hour and 10.8 miles per hour throughout the course of March.
Dress Code
The sub-zero temperatures for the month can get extremely cold and snowy, and a March traveller must ensure he/she has the right clothing packed. While a winter jacket is a must, carry extra layers of clothing to keep yourself warm in case of sudden bouts of cold weather.
Also, closed-toe waterproof shoes or boots and umbrellas are a must while packing your travel bag for a March trip.
Click here for Montreal's weather forecast for the next 14 days. Also, to get an idea of annual weather averages for Montreal, follow this link.
Montreal Hotels in March
Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth
Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth is a grand, upscale restaurant located above the Gare Centrale train station and is an 8-minute walk from the home of the Montreal Canadiens hockey team- Centre Bell. The hotel features classy rooms and suites with facilities like modern decor, TVs, Wi-Fi (for a fee), Keurig coffeemakers, separate living areas, and Nespesso machines. A good attraction here is the John Lennon and Yoko Ono Suite, where the famous song "Give Peace a Chance" was once composed and recorded. Other facilities include an elegant bistro, a chic cocktail lounge, a gourmet food counter, afternoon tea, an indoor pool, an exercise room, a business centre, in addition to 30 meeting rooms.
Travelodge by Wyndham Montreal Centre
Travelodge by Wyndham Montreal Centre is located at a 5-minute walk from the Montreal Convention Centre, a minute's walk from René-Lévesque station and a 5-minute walk from Station Saint-Laurent. This affordable, neat hotel offers great service and is a great choice for budget travellers looking for an enriched experience. With the relaxing standard rooms offering complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, desks, tea and coffee- making facilities, suites are equipped with cosy sitting areas and kitchenettes. Travelodge offers free continental breakfast in an informal restaurant/lounge that serves Italian cuisine and also paid parking facilities. Pets are allowed at a fee.
Gite du Plateau Mont-Royal
Gite du Plateau Mont-Royal in Le Plateau-Mont-Royal is a lively hostel located at a 7-minute walk from Saint-Laurent metro station, a 3 minute walk from the shops and restaurants of Boulevard Saint-Laurent, and at a distance of 3 km from the Old Port of Montreal. Each dorm accommodates 6 to 8 guests, and feature wood floors, bunk beds, lockers, free Wi-Fi and shared bathrooms with private rooms offering en suite bathrooms, and studios adding an extra kitchenette. The hostel offers complimentary Continental breakfast and regular activities such as local outings, happy hours, barbecues on a rooftop terrace, a shared kitchen and a TV lounge, a coin-operated laundry and guest computers.
HI Montreal Hostel
HI Montreal Hostel is another light, backpackers' option located in downtown Montreal and at a 6 minutes' walk from 4 bus stops and 1.6 miles from Quartier Latin. The hostel building features a portico and bright window awnings with simple, streamlined shared dorm with 2 to 10 bunk beds and private rooms. The facilities offered include free Wi-Fi, en suite bathrooms, linens, personal lockers and towels on request. Also, included is a free breakfast per day, organized daily activities such as tours or pub crawls, an attached casual cafe/bistro and pub, a kitchen for guest use, and bike rental facilities.
Bars and Restaurants
Restaurant Bonaparte
Restaurant Bonaparte is a fine dining Gourmet and French tasting restaurant serving pre-theatre menus and delectable French cuisine in a Napoleon-themed inn, with alcoves & a skylight. With its warm, comforting atmosphere and classic French dishes, the place offers great tasting wine and professional, hearty service. The contemporary décor with historic stone walls makes for a romantic ambiance for an intimate dinner or a casual late night date. Exquisite cuisine, French savoir-faire and the finest regional products are sure to entice your taste buds and get you coming back for more. At Bonaparte, we highly recommend to you the Chef special Dégustation menu.
Restuarant Epik
Restaurant pik serves brilliant Italian cuisine in a warm, homely atmosphere and is a great choice to stiop over for a bite anytime you are in Old Montreal. With exquisite food and warm, polite and friendly staff, and a menu that is a great mix of traditional and modern Italian dishes, everything is cooked to perfection. With entertaining music, and the gorgeous, chic atmosphere, you can never go wrong with this place. Also, make sure you try their exquisite drinks and something out of their tasteful wine collection.
Tuck Shop
Tuck Shop is a neighbourhood eatery with a nice and snug bistro feel and a casual, laid back atmosphere. With super fresh and flavourful dishes, their simple and well executed menu is a great match for someone looking for a hearty, yet simple meal. While the cute, cosy atmosphere is perfect for a romantic date night, do keep in mind that the bistro is usually packed with visitors and the seating arrangements are not very far from one another. If you plant to visit, make sure you reserve at least a day in advance since this place is usually crowded all through the week. The desserts here are made by the chef's mother, and taste heavenly. Our recommendations the delectable crispy pork belly and cocktails.
Arepera
Another casual eatery offering a casual Venezuelan fare for vegans, meat eaters & gluten-free diners is Arepera. With a warm Latino atmosphere and a huge menu of gluten free options, this restaurant offers you a chance to eat healthy food that is delicious too. Great vibes, colourful décor and brilliant music, this place is located close to the nearest bus stop and makes for easy access. The prices are reasonable and the menu offers a wide range of vegan, vegetarian and meat delicacies at affordable rates. If here, do try the Arepas they're authentic and delightful in every sense.
Things to do in Montreal in March
St Patrick's Day Parade
The St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Montreal is an event not to be missed if you happen to visit in March. The St. Patrick's Day celebration is the highlight of the Irish Festival in Montreal and celebrations on this day date back to as far as the year 1759. With the St. Patrick's Day parade being considered as one of the most famous and entertaining parades all around the world, it is one of spring's most anticipated events. This jovial, animated and uninterrupted parade is a delight to watch and lasts between two and three hours on an average. Before the parade, Irish pubs serve Irish coffee and breakfast and follow it up with live music after the parade ends. We recommend you an exciting visit to the parade this year to bring out the Irish in you.
Chinatown
If you are in the mood for a fun walking tour, Chinatown is a good choice to explore. Sandwiched between old Montreal and downtown, this wonderful little district is dotted with bars, cheap bakeries, eateries, shops and Asian businesses. Surely a treasure hunter's dream, the district of Chinatown offers everything from knickknacks and curiosity shops to pop culture DVD's and herbal remedies sold along the busy sidewalks. We recommend to you this place highly if you have ever wondered how authentic Chinese food tastes like, and we are sure you will highly enjoy being a part of the rich cultural experience Chinatown has to offer.
Cirque du Soleil
The Canadian entertainment company Cirque du Soleil has its headquarters in the city of Montreal and is the largest theatrical producer in the world. Whether your interests lie in contemporary ballet or acrobatics, theatre or the romance, the tent puts up a diverse set of shows all over the world that seems to enchant and woo audiences with its surrealism and artistry. Amazing theatrics, spell binding shows, beautiful décor and an easy access, the company hosts exceptional athletes in spectacular, unique and fascinating stage performances and magical costumes with some high quality live music and audio. If you and your family love the performing arts, this should be a no-miss item on your itinerary.
