Atlanta Weather in March: What to Expect and How to Prepare

March in Atlanta, Georgia is a true transition month. Winter is fading, spring is waking up, and the city’s famous dogwoods and azaleas start to bud. For locals and visitors, March weather can feel like a bit of everything—chilly mornings, warm afternoons, sudden showers, and the first big wave of pollen.

Here’s what Atlanta weather in March is really like, and how to plan your days, outfits, and activities around it.

Quick Snapshot of Atlanta Weather in March

Typical March conditions in Atlanta:

Conditions vary from year to year, but this gives you a realistic baseline of Atlanta’s March climate.

Temperatures in Atlanta in March

Daytime highs

March afternoons in Atlanta often feel mild and comfortable:

• Many days reach the low to mid‑60s °F.
• Warmer days can climb into the 70s °F, especially later in the month.
• Cooler days can stay in the 50s °F, especially when a cold front passes through.

You can usually enjoy walking around Midtown, the BeltLine, or Piedmont Park in a light jacket or long sleeves during the day.

Nighttime and morning lows

Mornings and late evenings can still feel like winter:

• Temperatures frequently drop into the low to mid‑40s °F.
• It can occasionally dip into the upper 30s °F, especially early in the month.

If you’re heading out early—say, catching MARTA to work or going to an early event downtown—plan on a warmer outer layer.

How it feels in real life

• Early March can lean more late‑winter cool, especially at night.
• Late March often feels more spring‑like, with some days comfortably warm and sunny.
• Rapid swings are common: one day in a heavy sweater, the next in a T‑shirt.

Layering is the key to staying comfortable in Atlanta’s March weather.

Rain, Storms, and Severe Weather Potential

Rain patterns

March is one of Atlanta’s wetter months, though not typically a washout:

• Expect on-and-off rain days, often in the form of showers or bands of rain moving through.
• A few days may bring steady, soaking rain, especially when storm systems move across the Southeast.
• You’re unlikely to see multiple days of nonstop rain, but it’s wise to plan for at least a couple of rainy or drizzly days.

Tip: Keep a compact umbrella or light rain jacket handy, especially if you’re walking around Downtown, Buckhead, or the Georgia State campus.

Thunderstorms and strong fronts

March is part of the early severe weather season in Georgia, so:

• Thunderstorms do occur, often when warm, humid air meets a strong cold front.
• Some storms can be gusty, with heavy rain and lightning.
• While severe weather (like damaging winds or hail) is possible, it’s not an everyday occurrence.

For up‑to‑date alerts, residents often check:

• National Weather Service – Peachtree City Office (serves metro Atlanta)
• Local TV and radio weather from Atlanta stations
• Wireless emergency alerts enabled on smartphones

If you’re visiting and staying near Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport or Downtown, be aware that storms can temporarily affect flights and outdoor plans.

Sunshine, Cloud Cover, and Daylight

Cloudy vs. sunny days

March brings a mix of sunny, partly cloudy, and overcast days:

• Behind cold fronts, you’ll often get clear, crisp blue skies.
• Ahead of storm systems, expect cloudy, gray, or hazy days.
• Many days fall somewhere in between—sunny breaks with passing clouds.

This type of weather is good for outdoor exploring without the intense heat and sun glare of summer.

Daylight and time change

• March brings gradually longer days, so evenings are not as dark and short as in winter.
• The shift to Daylight Saving Time typically occurs in March, giving Atlanta noticeably brighter evenings.

For people in Atlanta, this is a great time to:

• Walk or bike the Atlanta BeltLine after work
• Enjoy late‑day visits to Piedmont Park, Grant Park, or Westside Park
• Attend early-season games or outdoor events without heading home in the dark

What to Wear in Atlanta in March

Packing or dressing for March in Atlanta is all about flexibility.

Clothing basics

Consider using a layered approach:

• Base layer: Light T‑shirt, short‑sleeve shirt, or thin long‑sleeve top
• Middle layer: Sweater, sweatshirt, or fleece
• Outer layer: Medium‑weight jacket, windbreaker, or light coat
• Bottoms: Jeans, chinos, or other medium‑weight pants (shorts may be comfortable on warmer days, especially late in the month)

Footwear and accessories

• Comfortable closed‑toe shoes or sneakers for walking and unexpected puddles
• Light scarf or hat for chilly mornings, especially if you’re outside a lot
• Compact umbrella or packable raincoat for pop‑up showers
• Sunglasses for bright, clear days after a front passes through

If you’re going to outdoor venues—like Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta Botanical Garden, or festivals—dress so you can add or remove layers easily throughout the day.

Pollen, Allergies, and Spring Blooms

The start of pollen season

For many people, March in Atlanta is when spring pollen really becomes noticeable:

• Early in the month, pollen may be moderate but rising.
• By mid to late March, cars, sidewalks, and outdoor furniture can show a visible yellow-green dusting, especially from trees.
• This can be irritating for people who are sensitive to pollen.

If you’re prone to seasonal allergies:

• Keep car and home windows closed on high-pollen days.
• Consider showering and changing clothes after long outdoor stretches.
• Check local forecasts that include pollen levels (many Atlanta weather outlets provide daily pollen counts).

Spring flowers and greenery

The upside to all that pollen: Atlanta in March starts to look beautiful.

You’ll often see:

• Early blooming trees and shrubs in neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, and Decatur
• Increasing color in Piedmont Park, Oakland Cemetery gardens, and residential streets
• Gardens beginning to wake up at Atlanta Botanical Garden, especially late in the month

If photographing or enjoying the scenery is a priority, late March can offer that early-spring Atlanta look: green lawns returning, flowering trees, and softer light.

Outdoor Activities and Events in March Weather

Is March a good time to be outside in Atlanta?

For many locals, March is one of the most comfortable months for outdoor activity:

• Temperatures are generally cool to mild, not yet hot and humid.
• It’s a good time to walk, run, or bike on the BeltLine, Silver Comet Trail (reachable from metro Atlanta), and neighborhood streets.
• Parks like Piedmont Park, Grant Park, and Chastain Park are popular as people come out of winter hibernation.

You may just need to:

• Watch the forecast for rain and thunderstorms.
• Dress in layers to stay comfortable from morning through evening.
• Be prepared for pollen if you’re sensitive.

Events and timing

Many Atlanta events, races, and festivals start returning to the calendar in March:

• Outdoor markets and neighborhood events often resume or ramp up.
• Early season sports (college baseball, spring training events, local leagues) may be underway.

Check the day’s weather forecast before attending outdoor events—March can bring sudden shifts from sunny and warm to windy and rainy.

Travel Tips: Flying Into or Out of Atlanta in March

If you’re using Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL):

• Thunderstorms and heavy rain can occasionally cause delays, especially when strong fronts move through.
• Cooler mornings may feel brisk on pickup and drop‑off curbs or at the airport’s MARTA station, so a light jacket is handy.
• Early or late flights may mean traveling in temperatures closer to the daily low (often the 40s °F).

Building in a bit of schedule flexibility on stormy days can help if you’re connecting through or visiting Atlanta.

Checking Local Weather and Alerts in Atlanta

For day‑to‑day planning in March, many people in Atlanta rely on a mix of:

• Smartphone weather apps and widgets
• Local TV station forecasts (commonly based in Midtown and Downtown Atlanta)
• The National Weather Service (NWS) forecast for the Atlanta area

Key local weather authority for metro Atlanta:

• National Weather Service – Atlanta/Peachtree City Office
  • Location: Near Peachtree City, GA (serves metro Atlanta and much of north and central Georgia)
  • Often referenced by local media for official watches and warnings

For emergency alerts (especially during March’s occasional strong storms):

• Keep Wireless Emergency Alerts turned on in your phone settings.
• Be aware of sirens or public announcements if severe weather develops while you’re in the city.

Practical Planning Checklist for March in Atlanta

Use this quick list to stay comfortable and prepared:

• 🧥 Clothing: Pack or wear layers—T‑shirts, light sweaters, and a medium jacket.
• ☔ Rain gear: Have a compact umbrella or lightweight rain jacket.
• 😷 Pollen considerations: If you’re sensitive, plan for rising pollen levels, especially late March.
• 👟 Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes that can handle damp sidewalks.
• 📅 Daily forecast: Check morning and evening temperatures; they can differ a lot.
• ⚡ Storm awareness: On stormy days, stay tuned to local forecasts and alerts.

Understanding Atlanta weather in March helps you make the most of the city’s early spring—whether you’re commuting, sightseeing, or just enjoying a walk under the first blooming trees.