March on Mount Washington

By Ryan Knapp

Looking towards Mt. Madison at sunset on March 21, 2026.

The calendar has spoken: Friday, 20 March 2026, marked the first day of astronomical spring. For much of the country, this signals warmer days and melting snow, but on the summit of Mount Washington, the change of season is merely a suggestion. For the higher terrain of the White Mountains, the transition occurs at a significantly slower pace.

If you are planning an ascent, be warned: the mountain is not ready for your lighter, three-season gear. As I am writing this, the summit is currently cloudy with the thermometer reading 9°F (-12.8°C), and a brisk 50 mph wind which makes it feel like -18°F (-27.8°C). For mid- to late March, today’s conditions are closer to normal for our location than some might be aware of. In fact, the conditions we experience in March have us typically considering the month more winter-like than spring-like, with spring conditions in the Alpine Zone typically occurring closer to late April into May.

Take temperatures for instance. For March, the normal monthly average temperature is 12.9°F (-10.6°C). Breaking it down by daily average temperatures, the first of March starts at 9°F (-12.8°C) and by the 31 March, the daily average temperature is 17°F (°C). The record high for March is 54°F (12.2°C)  (1998, 2012) however, the record low is -38°F (-38.9°C) (1950), so it can see some dramatic swings in both the positive but also the negative. This year has seen some of those dramatic swings – as of this writing, the summit has seen highs of 45°F (7.2°C)  and lows of -19°F (-28.3°C) . So, while March can provide some dates with “nice” temperatures, it is far more common that you will land on a date with some pretty cold temperatures.

Winds in March also still pack a pretty good punch. The normal monthly average wind speed for March is 39.8 mph (64.1 km/h). Statistically speaking, hurricane force gusts occur 1 out of every 2 days and gusts of 100 mph (160.9 km/h) or higher typically occur 1 out of every 4 days. If looking at record gusts, the monthly record gust for March is 180 mph (1942). When March winds are factored with typical March temperatures, wind chills typically average in the 10 below to 20 below range.

And then there is snow and ice. Statistically speaking, March is our second snowiest month with a monthly average of 46.2 inches (117.3 cm). And back in 1970, the summit saw 98.0 inches (248.9 cm) for the month (which stands as the March Maximum monthly total). And while new snowfall is one thing, seasonal snowfall is the other thing to consider as the summits have received accumulating snow since October most years, 2025/26 being no exception. So, while trails in the lower elevations might be transitioning to mud season, most trails on the higher terrain are typically still covered in snow and ice and typically need added traction like microspikes or crampons. And while occasional warm ups might cause melting, this means water crossings might become swollen in lower elevations and when freezing temperatures return, this typically means water-logged surfaces become more ice than snow.

With all of this in mind and looking at the forecast models for the remainder of March, the cold, winds, and snow show no sign of letting up. Summits will experience:

• Sub-Freezing Temperatures: Ambient air temperatures will consistently stay below freezing. Highs will generally be in the teens and 20s (°F) expected for much of the upcoming Low temperatures are showing several dates with single digits and even a few dates dropping below 0°F.
• Persistent Snowfall: A series of lows are expected to pass over the region delivering additional snowfall to the summits and even some snowfall for neighboring valleys.
• Elevated Winds: While winds will ebb and flow, they will skew more towards the “flow” side of things as winds remain elevated especially with each passing low.

So, if you are planning a hike on the mountain in March, please plan and pack accordingly. You can keep an eye on the expected weather ahead by using our 48-hour Higher Summits Forecast available at mountwashington.org/forecast with updates occurring twice a day by 6 am and 6 pm. Trail conditions can be found via the AMC here or via user submitted reports at https://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/ or https://www.vftt.org/. Avalanche forecasts from the Mount Washington Avalanche Center are available at mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.org.