March in Houston is a complete mood swing. One morning you're shivering in a light jacket because a stray "Blue Norther" decided to visit from Canada. By noon? You're squinting in the Texas sun, wondering if 75 degrees is too early to turn on the AC. Honestly, if you ask three different Houstonians about houston texas march weather, you’ll get three different answers depending on their allergies and how much they like the Rodeo.
This is the month of the great transition. The "Big Freeze" window is technically closing, but nobody totally trusts it yet. We’re leaving the gray, damp gloom of February behind and racing toward the oppressive humidity of May. March is that sweet, chaotic middle ground. It’s easily the best time to be outside, but you have to be ready for the sky to fall at a moment’s notice.
The Temperature Rollercoaster: What to Actually Expect
Let's look at the numbers. On average, you’re seeing highs in the low 70s. That sounds pleasant, right? It is! But "average" is a bit of a lie in Southeast Texas. You’ll have days where it hits 82°F and you're looking for a swimming pool. Then, 48 hours later, a dry cold front sweeps through and drops the overnight low to 45°F.
Historically, we’ve seen some wild stuff. In 2012, it hit a blistering 91°F in late March. Flip the script to 1980, and the city actually hit 23°F. While you probably won't see a freeze, the "Texas Two-Step" of temperature changes is very real. You’ll start your day in a hoodie and end it in a t-shirt.
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Humidity starts to wake up in March, too. It’s not the "air you can wear" soup of July quite yet, but the dew points are creeping up. You’ll feel that familiar Gulf Coast heaviness, especially in the mornings when the fog rolls in off the bayou. It usually burns off by 10 AM, but it makes for some eerie commutes on I-10.
Houston Texas March Weather and the "Yellow Snow"
If you aren't from around here, you might hear people talking about the "yellow snow." No, it’s not what you think. It’s pollen. Specifically, oak pollen.
By the second week of March, everything—your car, your dog, your porch furniture—will be covered in a fine layer of chartreuse dust. For allergy sufferers, the houston texas march weather report is less about rain and more about the "Pollen Count." It’s common to see it reach "Extremely High" levels. If your eyes start itching the moment you step outside, welcome to Spring in the Bayou City.
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Rainfall and the Thunderstorm Threat
March isn't our wettest month, but it’s the start of "Severe Weather Season." We usually see about 3 to 4 inches of rain across the month. It’s rarely a slow, romantic drizzle. It’s usually a massive, cinematic thunderstorm that dumps two inches in an hour and then disappears, leaving the pavement steaming.
- Lightning Risks: As the warm Gulf air hits those lingering cold fronts, things get electric. Houston is one of the most lightning-prone cities in the country.
- Flash Flooding: Because the ground is often already saturated from winter, heavy March rains can lead to quick street flooding. If you see water over the road, don't be a hero. Turn around.
- Hail: This is the prime time for "golf ball" sized surprises. Most locals keep one eye on the radar if they have a car they actually care about.
The Rodeo Factor: Dressing for the Madness
You can’t talk about March weather without talking about the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. It runs for most of the month at NRG Park. This creates a specific fashion crisis. You want to wear your cowboy boots, but if it rains, you’re trekking through wet asphalt and mud. If it’s a warm day, those leather boots are going to feel like ovens by the time the concert starts.
The "Rodeo Uniform" is layers. Denim jackets are the MVP here. They’re heavy enough for a 55-degree evening but easy to tie around your waist when the sun comes out.
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What to Plant (and What to Protect)
If you're a gardener, March is your Super Bowl. The soil is finally warming up enough for the "Warm Season" crops. Most experienced Houston gardeners, like the folks over at Texas A&M’s AgriLife Extension, suggest getting your tomatoes in the ground by mid-March. If you wait until April, the plants might grow, but the heat will hit before they can set fruit.
Basically, you’re in a race against the sun. You want to plant peppers, cucumbers, and beans now. Just keep some frost cloth handy. Even though the "average" last frost is late February, Mother Nature likes to throw a curveball every few years.
Survival Tips for a Houston March
Don't let the unpredictability scare you off. March is genuinely beautiful here. The azaleas are screaming pink in River Oaks, and the Bluebonnets are starting to pop up along the highways.
- Check the Radar Daily: Use apps like Space City Weather. They give it to you straight without the "Hype-cast" drama of local TV news.
- The Car Umbrella: If you don't have a sturdy umbrella in your passenger seat, you aren't a real Houstonian.
- Sunscreen is Non-Negotiable: The UV index jumps significantly in March. You can get a nasty burn during a 30-minute walk at Hermann Park even if it’s only 70 degrees.
- Zyrtec is Your Friend: Start your allergy meds before you see the yellow dust. Once the inflammation starts, you’re just playing catch-up.
Actionable Next Steps
To make the most of the weather this month, you should plan your outdoor heavy-lifting now. If you’ve been wanting to hike the trails at Memorial Park or bike the Buffalo Bayou paths, do it before April 15th. After that, the "sweat factor" triples.
Keep a "change of seasons" bag in your trunk with a light sweater and a pair of dry socks. You'll thank me when a sudden thunderstorm turns your afternoon walk into a swamp trek. Most importantly, enjoy the low humidity while it lasts—the Houston "sauna" is right around the corner.