City break in early March
Feb 10, 2020, 12:46 pm
#1
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City break in early March
Got 4 nights booked over a weekend in Manhattan in March. What sort of clothes shall I pack? or shall I just keep an eye on the weather?
Any tips on good things to do there in bad weather?
Any tips on good things to do there in bad weather?
Feb 10, 2020, 1:26 pm
#2
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Location: NYC
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Early March is still winter and it can be cold. Snow is possible but not common. The way things are going this year though, you might need shorts. 
(Seriously, about 5 years ago it was >70 degrees in early-ish March, I remember as I still hadn't gone on my spring ski trip which is usually early/mid-March.)
I would definitely recommend checking the forecast before you leave, as I do whenever I'm going anywhere.
There's plenty to do in all weather here. Museums and the theatre are good in cold or inclement weather.
(Seriously, about 5 years ago it was >70 degrees in early-ish March, I remember as I still hadn't gone on my spring ski trip which is usually early/mid-March.)I would definitely recommend checking the forecast before you leave, as I do whenever I'm going anywhere.
There's plenty to do in all weather here. Museums and the theatre are good in cold or inclement weather.
Feb 10, 2020, 1:41 pm
#3
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A Buried City: The Blizzard of 1888
"In March of 1888 New York City was slammed by one of the most devastating blizzards in recorded history. From March 11th to 15th the city was buried underneath fifty inches of snow."
Feb 10, 2020, 3:13 pm
#4
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Bad weather? Unless it's really bad i.e. unsafe to go out or the MTA has shut down - just keep calm and carry on as normal though I might avoid a walk on the High LIne or strolling around Central Park if it it really windy and / or raining heavily
As for packing you can't go wrong with layers.
As for packing you can't go wrong with layers.
Feb 10, 2020, 7:51 pm
#5
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As recently as in 2018, NYC received 5+ inches of snow in April. March snow is not that rare. I would prepare to dress warmly for temperatures in the mid 30-40s, and enjoy if it's warmer than that.
Maybe so, but when NYC does get a snowstorm in March, it can be a doozy:
A Buried City: The Blizzard of 1888
"In March of 1888 New York City was slammed by one of the most devastating blizzards in recorded history. From March 11th to 15th the city was buried underneath fifty inches of snow."
A Buried City: The Blizzard of 1888
"In March of 1888 New York City was slammed by one of the most devastating blizzards in recorded history. From March 11th to 15th the city was buried underneath fifty inches of snow."
Feb 11, 2020, 5:08 am
#6
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Could be 30, could be 70.
30 more likely in early March, 70 more likely in late March but 40-60 more likely overall.
Lots of websites have "average weather in ____ for ____" available, you can drill down to specific dates, too.
Best advice is to look at the 10 day forecast 2 days before you leave and pack accordingly.
30 more likely in early March, 70 more likely in late March but 40-60 more likely overall.
Lots of websites have "average weather in ____ for ____" available, you can drill down to specific dates, too.
Best advice is to look at the 10 day forecast 2 days before you leave and pack accordingly.
Feb 11, 2020, 10:03 am
#7
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Average March snowfall is ~4", compared to 9" in Feb, 7" in Jan, and 5" in Dec. There are an average of 1.8 days with snowfall in March (vs. 2.8 in Feb, 4 in Jan, and 2.3 in Dec).
And yes, we can get hit with a big one in March - Typically 1-2 March's per decade with >10" of snow (though 3 in 2011-19!)
I think in March it's more likely the snow melts quickly, which can be good and bad. The biggest issue with snow in Manhattan IMO is the huge puddles that form at crosswalks as the melting ice/slush blocks drainage.
And yes, we can get hit with a big one in March - Typically 1-2 March's per decade with >10" of snow (though 3 in 2011-19!)
I think in March it's more likely the snow melts quickly, which can be good and bad. The biggest issue with snow in Manhattan IMO is the huge puddles that form at crosswalks as the melting ice/slush blocks drainage.
Feb 11, 2020, 10:18 am
#8
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Could be 30, could be 70.
30 more likely in early March, 70 more likely in late March but 40-60 more likely overall.
Lots of websites have "average weather in ____ for ____" available, you can drill down to specific dates, too.
Best advice is to look at the 10 day forecast 2 days before you leave and pack accordingly.
30 more likely in early March, 70 more likely in late March but 40-60 more likely overall.
Lots of websites have "average weather in ____ for ____" available, you can drill down to specific dates, too.
Best advice is to look at the 10 day forecast 2 days before you leave and pack accordingly.