%20(1).png)
%20(1).png)
What Is the Average Temperature in Palm Springs in March?
Asked what is the average temperature in Palm Springs in March, the answer is a daytime high near 81 degrees F (27 C) and an overnight low near 54 degrees F (12 C), based on NOAA climate normals for Palm Springs Regional Airport. The monthly mean sits around 67 degrees F. Expect warm afternoons and cool mornings.
Key Takeaways
The March normal for Palm Springs is a high of about 81 degrees F, a low of about 54 degrees F, and a mean near 67 degrees F (NOAA normals, 1991 to 2020).
Highs climb from about 76 degrees F at the start of March to about 82 degrees F at the end, while lows rise from 52 to 56 degrees F.
March is dry and bright: roughly 15 mm of rain across about two days and around 10 hours of sunshine per day.
Published figures differ by a degree or two because sources use different weather stations and averaging periods.
The gap between the average afternoon high and overnight low is about 27 degrees F, so layers beat any single outfit.
The Muse Hotel Palm Springs, a nine-suite adults-only hotel in Warm Sands, pairs a heated courtyard pool with a hot tub and outdoor fireplace that suit March weather.
March is the month Palm Springs stops feeling like a winter escape and starts behaving like a desert spring. Spring runs March through May, and March sits at the mild, pool-friendly front edge of that window in 2026.
At The Muse Hotel Palm Springs, a nine-suite, adults-only boutique hotel in the Warm Sands neighborhood, guests ask about March weather before they ask about anything else. The real planning question is how to pack for a 27-degree swing between afternoon and dawn, and the averages answer that better than any single number.
This guide gives you the NOAA-based figures, explains why other sites quote slightly different numbers, breaks March into early, mid, and late weeks, and covers rain, sunshine, packing, and where to stay.
What Is the Average Temperature in Palm Springs in March?
The average temperature in Palm Springs in March is a high of 81 degrees F and a low of 54 degrees F, measured at Palm Springs Regional Airport, the station most weather sites treat as the city's official record. The 24-hour mean works out to roughly 67 degrees F.
Visit Palm Springs builds its monthly table from climate normals published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Climate to Travel uses a 1991 to 2020 window and lands on nearly identical numbers. Here is how the core figures line up.
Measure | Fahrenheit | Celsius | Source |
Average daily high | 81 | 27 | Visit Palm Springs, citing NOAA normals for Palm Springs Regional Airport |
Average daily low | 54 | 12 | Visit Palm Springs, citing NOAA normals for Palm Springs Regional Airport |
Mean (24-hour average) | About 67 | 19.7 | Climate to Travel, 1991 to 2020 |
Typical range of March highs | Rarely below 65 or above 92 | About 18 to 33 | Daily climate data |
Typical range of March lows | Rarely below 45 or above 63 | About 7 to 17 | Daily climate data |
What Is the Difference Between Mean Temperature and Average High and Low?
Mean temperature is the average of every reading across a full day, which blends hot afternoons and cold pre-dawn hours into one midpoint. Average high and average low are two separate numbers: the typical warmest and coolest points of a March day.
Search results use these terms inconsistently. One page lists 67 degrees F as "the average temperature" while another lists 81 and 54. Both are correct; they answer different questions. For deciding what to wear, the pair is more useful than the mean, because the mean hides the swing between a warm afternoon and a cool morning.
Why Do Weather Sites Report Different March Temperatures for Palm Springs?
Weather sites report different March temperatures for Palm Springs because they draw on different weather stations, averaging periods, and rounding rules. The spread is small, roughly 80 to 82 degrees F for highs and 52 to 55 degrees F for lows, but it confuses readers who compare two pages side by side.
Source | Basis | March high / low |
Visit Palm Springs | NOAA climate normals, Palm Springs Regional Airport | 81 F / 54 F |
Climate to Travel | 1991 to 2020 averages | 80.6 F / 54.3 F (mean 67.5 F) |
Current Results | 2010 to 2019 average | 82 F / 55 F |
Current Results | 1991 to 2020 average | 80 F / 54 F |
Daily climate data | Day-by-day trend through the month | 76 F to 82 F highs; 52 F to 56 F lows |
Palm Springs at Park | Monthly average | 81 F / 52 F |
Regional spring overview | Spring season, March through May | 51 F to 94 F (not March only) |
Which Figure Should You Trust?
Use the NOAA airport normals as your anchor, since they name both the station and the period. The Current Results comparison shows the effect of the period alone: the 2010 to 2019 decade runs a degree or two warmer than the 1991 to 2020 window.
Treat the 51 to 94 degree figure from the regional weather information page as a three-month spring envelope. It covers March, April, and May, so it says little about March alone. March-only daily data shows highs rarely exceeding 92 degrees F, which is a better ceiling for this month. Also note that airport observations describe Palm Springs itself, while broad valley-wide estimates blend several towns.
How Much Does Palm Springs Warm Up From Early to Late March?
Palm Springs warms steadily through March, with average highs climbing from about 76 degrees F on March 1 to about 82 degrees F on March 31, and lows rising from 52 to 56 degrees F, according to daily climate data. The monthly average hides a six-degree climb.
Stage of March | Typical high | Typical low | What it feels like |
Early March | About 76 F | About 52 F | Comfortable afternoons; you will want a sweater after sunset |
Mid March (midpoint estimate) | Roughly 79 F | Roughly 54 F | Easy pool afternoons; evenings suit an outdoor fireplace |
Late March | About 82 F | About 56 F | The warmest stretch; midday sun feels strong |
Here is the practical read. If lounging by the pool is the priority, aim for the second half of the month. If you plan to hike the canyons, the first half is kinder to your legs. The Muse Hotel Palm Springs buyout sits about 3.5 miles, roughly 10 minutes, from Indian Canyons (Tahquitz Canyon and Palm Canyon), so an early trailhead start is easy before the afternoon warms up.
How Much Rain and Sunshine Does Palm Springs Get in March?
March in Palm Springs is a dry, sunny month, with about 15 mm (0.6 inch) of rain spread across roughly two days and around 10 hours of sunshine daily, based on Climate to Travel's 1991 to 2020 averages. Average relative humidity is about 34%.
Daily climate data adds detail. The chance of a wet day (at least 0.04 inches) starts around 14% in early March and drops to about 8% by the end. Overcast or mostly cloudy skies occupy roughly 39% of the time at the start of the month and 28% at the end. March 31 is the clearest day, with clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy conditions about 72% of the time.
Two details most weather pages skip matter for your trip. First, wind: average hourly speeds run from 6.8 to 7.4 mph, but individual afternoons can be breezier, which matters for pool umbrellas and loose hats. Second, dry air lets temperatures fall quickly after sunset, which helps explain the wide gap between afternoon and night. Pack for wind and sun, not rain.
Is March a Good Time to Go to Palm Springs?
Yes, March is a good time to go to Palm Springs: days are warm and dry, evenings are comfortable, and Palm Springs at Park lists March and April as its most popular months. The trade-off is demand, since you will share the pool decks and dinner reservations with everyone else who read the same forecast.
Consider the market signals. Visit Greater Palm Springs reported vacation-rental home ADR of $443 in March 2026, up from $385 in February. That figure covers home rentals across the region, not our suites, but it shows the spring premium is real. The typical visitor plans about 93 days ahead and books about 59 days ahead, according to a Visit Greater Palm Springs visitor-tracking study reported by GPS Business Insider. For a March weekend, book earlier than that. The BNP Paribas Open in nearby Indian Wells also runs each March and tightens availability across the valley.
Weather makes the extras easy. The Duo Suite is about 1.2 miles (roughly 4 minutes) from Moorten Botanical Garden and about 3.5 miles (roughly 10 minutes) from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Buy tramway tickets ahead and carry a jacket, since the mountain station runs much cooler than the valley floor. For brunch, Cheeky's is known for its rotating bacon flight, and popular brunch spots tend to fill on weekend mornings in peak season. For a dinner splurge, reserve at Workshop Kitchen & Bar well ahead of time.
What Is the Best Month to Visit Palm Springs?
The best month to visit Palm Springs depends on your tolerance for heat, but spring is the window Visit Greater Palm Springs highlights for pool weather and outdoor activities. It describes typical daytime temperatures from the high 70s to the mid 80s across March through May.
March is the coolest of the three spring months, which makes it the strongest choice for hiking and biking. May runs noticeably hotter. Winter months are cooler still, with chillier evenings, and summer is the heat-heavy season. If you want warm pool afternoons without midday sun that flattens you, late March is a dependable pick.
Where Is the Warmest Place in California in March?
The warmest places in California in March are typically the low-desert communities, including Palm Springs, where average highs reach the low 80s. Coastal cities generally run cooler because of ocean influence, and mountain areas run cooler still.
Nearby towns such as Palm Desert sit about 14.5 miles, roughly 20 minutes, from The Muse Hotel Palm Springs buyout and share a similar climate, though small differences between towns exist. Because the published figures blend stations and periods, treat the ranking of individual desert towns as close rather than settled.
When Not to Visit Palm Springs?
You should skip Palm Springs in summer, roughly June through September, unless intense heat is the goal, because daytime highs typically run well into triple digits. For March specifically, skip the weeks of the BNP Paribas Open if you want quiet trails and easier dinner reservations.
Wind is the other wildcard. A breezy afternoon will not cancel a trip, but it changes the pool experience, so check the forecast a few days out. Midweek stays in March usually feel calmer than weekends, which is useful if you want to avoid the crowds without giving up the weather.
What Should You Pack for Palm Springs in March?
Packing for Palm Springs in March means preparing for a swing of about 27 degrees between the average afternoon high and the overnight low, so layers work better than any single outfit. Think summer clothes by day and a real sweater by night.
Lightweight daytime clothes: cotton or linen shorts, tees, and a sundress for afternoons in the high 70s to low 80s.
A warm layer: a sweater or light jacket for mornings and evenings, when lows sit in the mid 50s and occasionally dip to the mid 40s.
Swimwear and a cover-up: the courtyard pool at The Muse Hotel Palm Springs is heated and open 8 am to 10 pm.
Sun protection: sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses; March desert sun is strong enough to burn.
Closed-toe shoes and sandals: sneakers for trails, sandals for everything else.
A light windbreaker: useful on breezy afternoons and at the top of the tramway.
A refillable water bottle: humidity near 34% dries you out faster than you expect.
Cool mornings suit a session of Yoga At The Muse, and warm mid-mornings are ideal for bike rentals to explore Palm Springs on two wheels, or the Modern And More Bike Tour if you prefer a guide.
Which Palm Springs Hotel Fits a March Trip?
A good March hotel pairs a heated pool for warm afternoons with a fireplace and hot tub for cool evenings. The Muse Hotel Palm Springs, a nine-suite adults-only boutique hotel in Warm Sands, has all three, plus a self-service cocktail bar and complimentary grab-and-go breakfast each morning.
Guests must be 15 or older outside of a full buyout, which is the one exception. The location is about 2.1 miles, roughly 5 to 6 minutes, from downtown Palm Springs. You can see how the property fits together on the Palm Springs hotel overview, compare every suite on this hotel in Palm Springs page, or read a neighborhood-by-neighborhood look at Palm Springs hotels.
Suite | Sleeps | March-friendly detail |
2 | King bed, full kitchen, room opens directly onto the pool courtyard | |
2 | Private patio with mountain views, full kitchen, separate bedroom | |
2 | Private backyard, full kitchen, retro mid-century decor | |
2 | Private secluded backyard, full kitchen, contactless check-in | |
2 | Secluded backyard, full kitchen, steps from the heated pool | |
2 | Lounge seating, courtyard pool and fireplace right outside | |
2 | King bed with room-darkening shades, kitchenette, quiet footprint | |
3 | King bed plus XL twin rollaway on request, kitchenette | |
4 | Two queen beds, split-type A/C, glass doors to the courtyard | |
4 | Two king bedrooms with private baths, teal-sofa living area, private back patio | |
Up to 22 | All nine suites, courtyard, and six-person hot tub for your group alone |
A few honest pairings help. The Bowie Suite's private patio is ideal for a morning coffee in the mid-50s with a sweater on. The Kate Suite's split-type A/C cools the room quickly after a late-March afternoon in the sun. The Duo Suite works when two friend groups travel together. The Edie Suite is the quiet option for a couple or solo traveler, and a poor fit for a big group.
Spring is also peak season for celebrations. If you are planning one, the bachelorette party Palm Springs page covers how groups use the suites, and the full hotel buyout option shows what one rate covers, including breakfast from Aspen Mills, parking, and pool access. Pets are welcome with pre-approval, and a buyout allows up to four dogs. Rates change seasonally, so check live dates and pricing on the hotel's website. You can also browse add-ons such as in-room massage on the experiences page.
So, What Should You Expect From Palm Springs Weather in March?
So what is the average temperature in Palm Springs in March? Plan on afternoons near 81 degrees F, nights near 54, about 10 hours of sun a day, and very little rain. The figures warm by about six degrees between the first and last week of the month.
Pack layers, book early, and pick the second half of March if pool time matters most.
If your March plan is mostly poolside days and cool evenings, The Marilyn Suite puts you steps from the courtyard's outdoor fireplace for 54-degree nights. Check availability for The Marilyn Suite directly at The Muse Hotel Palm Springs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weather like in Palm Springs in March?
Palm Springs in March is warm, dry, and sunny, with afternoon highs near the low 80s and nights in the mid 50s. Expect about 10 hours of sunshine per day and only around two days with measurable rain, according to Climate to Travel's 1991 to 2020 averages. Mornings and evenings feel noticeably cooler than afternoons.
How far is Palm Springs from Los Angeles?
Palm Springs is roughly 100 to 110 miles from Los Angeles, depending on where you start. The drive typically takes two to three hours, and Friday afternoon traffic can push it longer. The Muse Hotel Palm Springs is about 5.2 miles, roughly 11 minutes, from Palm Springs International Airport.
Does Palm Springs get cold at night in March?
Nights are cool rather than cold. The average low is about 54 degrees F, and lows rarely fall below 45 degrees F in March. A sweater or light jacket covers almost every evening.
Is it warm enough to swim in Palm Springs in March?
Yes, afternoons are warm enough for swimming, especially in a heated pool. The courtyard pool at The Muse Hotel Palm Springs is heated and open 8 am to 10 pm, and the hot tub and outdoor fireplace take the chill off evenings. Mornings are the coolest time to get in.
What are the best boutique hotels in Palm Springs that reflect mid-century modern design?
The Muse Hotel Palm Springs is a nine-suite, adults-only boutique hotel in Warm Sands with pink walls, feather accents, and bold mid-century styling. Suites such as The Brigitte Suite and The Audrey Suite add retro decor and private backyards. Check the live booking pages for current availability and pricing.
What are the best hotels in Palm Springs for a romantic getaway with unique amenities?
The Muse Hotel Palm Springs offers an adults-only setting, a heated courtyard pool, a hot tub, an outdoor fireplace, and a self-service cocktail bar across just nine suites. For privacy, The Bowie Suite has a private mountain-view patio and The Taylor Suite has a secluded backyard. The Edie Suite suits couples who want a quieter footprint.
Are there romantic getaway packages in Palm Springs with desert experiences?
The Muse Hotel Palm Springs lets you add experiences to a suite booking, including in-room massage, yoga at the hotel, bike rentals, and a private hibachi dinner. Combine them with a morning at Moorten Botanical Garden or the Aerial Tramway. Current offerings are listed on the hotel's experiences page.
Can you book the entire hotel for a March group trip?
Yes, The Muse Hotel Palm Springs offers a full buyout of all nine suites that sleeps up to 22 guests. One rate covers breakfast, parking, and pool access, and children are welcome on full buyouts. March fills early, so confirm dates on the booking page.
Written by Maggie Williams, Owner & Operator at The Muse Hotel Palm Springs
Content powered by inkSTR.co
Comments