March is one of the cooler months of the year in Fort Smith, with average highs near 16.4°C and lows around 4.1°C (mean 10.3°C). It is about average for rainfall, averaging 106 mm of rainfall and 79% relative humidity across the period.
March is one of the cooler months of the year in Fort Smith. Across 45 years of records, the warmest March in Fort Smith was 2012 — when the month averaged 15°C — while the coldest was 1996 at 7.1°C. Typical March days reach 16.4°C with nights near 4.1°C. The long-term trend is warming, about 0.4°C per decade.
March is about average for rainfall in Fort Smith, averaging 106 mm of rainfall. The wettest March on record was 2008 with 280 mm, while the driest was 2007 at 30 mm.
Relative humidity in Fort Smith during March averages 79%. The most humid March was 1998 at 85%, and the least humid was 1996 at 68%.
March receives about 4.2 kWh/m²/day of solar energy in Fort Smith. The sunniest March was 1986 at 5.2 kWh/m²/day, and the cloudiest were 1998, 2011 and 2020, among others at 3.6.
Average wind speed in Fort Smith during March is 2.2 m/s. The windiest March was 1998 at 2.6 m/s, while the calmest were 2001 and 2015 at 1.7 m/s.
Ranked against the other 11 months using 1981–2025 averages.
| Metric | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 9.8°C | 9.6°C | 10.5°C | 10.4°C | 11.6°C | +1.8°C |
| Avg High | 16.0°C | 15.6°C | 16.7°C | 16.6°C | 18.0°C | +2°C |
| Avg Low | 3.6°C | 3.6°C | 4.3°C | 4.3°C | 5.3°C | +1.7°C |
| Avg Rain | 104 mm | 104 mm | 102 mm | 103 mm | 126 mm | +22 mm |
March temperatures in Fort Smith have risen by about 1.4°C between 1981–1985 and 2021–2025.
March has ranged from a record low of -12.5°C (1989) to a record high of 30°C (2017).
Rainfall in March is about average for rainfall, averaging 106 mm, with a wettest year of 280 mm.
A good time to visit Fort Smith
March is a good time to visit Fort Smith, with days averaging 16.4°C and nights around 4.1°C (mean 10.3°C, cooler than Fort Smith's yearly average) and higher rainfall. September and June are marginally more temperate, but March still suits most travellers.
| Year | Avg High | Avg Temp | Avg Low | Hottest Day | Coldest Day | Rainfall | Humidity | Wind | Solar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 19.3°C | 12.4°C | 5.5°C | 25.9°C | -1.9°C | 50 mm | 74% | 2.4 m/s | 4.9 |
| 2024 | 18.9°C | 12.5°C | 6.1°C | 24.5°C | -1.9°C | 120 mm | 80% | 2 m/s | 4.6 |
| 2023 | 16.0°C | 10.2°C | 4.3°C | 25.5°C | -5.5°C | 203 mm | 82% | 2.2 m/s | 4 |
| 2022 | 16.8°C | 9.8°C | 2.9°C | 23.7°C | -6.8°C | 111 mm | 77% | 2.2 m/s | 4.3 |
| 2021 | 18.5°C | 12.1°C | 5.8°C | 24.5°C | -1.2°C | 92 mm | 79% | 2.2 m/s | 4.4 |
| 2020 | 18.2°C | 12.8°C | 7.4°C | 28.4°C | -0.5°C | 180 mm | 85% | 2 m/s | 3.6 |
| 2019 | 14.1°C | 8.5°C | 2.9°C | 21.6°C | -8.5°C | 79 mm | 80% | 2.1 m/s | 4.1 |
| 2018 | 16.5°C | 10.2°C | 3.9°C | 23.5°C | -3.4°C | 108 mm | 81% | 2.2 m/s | 4.5 |
| 2017 | 19.5°C | 12.9°C | 6.3°C | 30.0°C | -3.3°C | 105 mm | 73% | 2.4 m/s | 4.2 |
| 2016 | 17.7°C | 11.9°C | 6.0°C | 23.7°C | -1.7°C | 132 mm | 81% | 2.2 m/s | 4.5 |
| 2015 | 15.7°C | 10.2°C | 4.7°C | 26.4°C | -7.4°C | 137 mm | 84% | 1.7 m/s | 3.9 |
| 2014 | 14.6°C | 7.9°C | 1.1°C | 23.0°C | -11.9°C | 91 mm | 77% | 2.2 m/s | 4.4 |
| 2013 | 14.0°C | 7.6°C | 1.3°C | 23.9°C | -5.1°C | 99 mm | 77% | 2.2 m/s | 4.2 |
| 2012 🔥 | 21.0°C | 15.0°C | 9.0°C | 27.4°C | -1.9°C | 168 mm | 83% | 2.2 m/s | 4.5 |
| 2011 | 17.7°C | 11.3°C | 4.9°C | 25.6°C | -3.5°C | 35 mm | 76% | 2.2 m/s | 3.6 |
| 2010 | 14.8°C | 8.7°C | 2.6°C | 24.1°C | -3.6°C | 75 mm | 83% | 2.2 m/s | 4.2 |
| 2009 | 17.0°C | 10.8°C | 4.7°C | 25.3°C | -6.1°C | 90 mm | 76% | 2.4 m/s | 3.8 |
| 2008 🌧️ | 16.2°C | 9.8°C | 3.4°C | 24.4°C | -5.2°C | 280 mm | 82% | 2.4 m/s | 4.1 |
| 2007 | 19.7°C | 14.2°C | 8.8°C | 25.9°C | -5.6°C | 30 mm | 82% | 2 m/s | 4.2 |
| 2006 | 18.2°C | 11.6°C | 4.9°C | 29.2°C | -4.0°C | 116 mm | 70% | 2.4 m/s | 4.1 |
| 2005 | 14.9°C | 8.7°C | 2.5°C | 23.1°C | -5.0°C | 68 mm | 80% | 2.1 m/s | 4.1 |
| 2004 | 18.2°C | 12.0°C | 5.9°C | 25.2°C | -0.5°C | 97 mm | 77% | 2.1 m/s | 4.4 |
| 2003 | 16.6°C | 9.9°C | 3.2°C | 23.3°C | -5.6°C | 63 mm | 80% | 1.9 m/s | 4.4 |
| 2002 | 14.0°C | 7.7°C | 1.5°C | 22.7°C | -11.1°C | 170 mm | 82% | 2.3 m/s | 3.9 |
| 2001 | 13.7°C | 7.8°C | 1.9°C | 21.4°C | -3.5°C | 33 mm | 79% | 1.7 m/s | 4 |
| 2000 | 18.4°C | 12.0°C | 5.7°C | 25.5°C | -3.3°C | 74 mm | 77% | 2.1 m/s | 4.1 |
| 1999 | 15.2°C | 8.9°C | 2.6°C | 22.5°C | -5.4°C | 139 mm | 79% | 2.2 m/s | 4.2 |
| 1998 | 13.3°C | 8.4°C | 3.4°C | 24.6°C | -7.0°C | 154 mm | 85% | 2.6 m/s | 3.6 |
| 1997 | 17.6°C | 11.0°C | 4.3°C | 24.8°C | -4.0°C | 87 mm | 80% | 1.9 m/s | 4.5 |
| 1996 ❄️ | 13.7°C | 7.1°C | 0.5°C | 23.4°C | -9.8°C | 85 mm | 68% | 2.5 m/s | 4.4 |
| 1995 | 16.8°C | 10.8°C | 4.9°C | 25.4°C | -7.8°C | 70 mm | 81% | 2.2 m/s | 4.1 |
| 1994 | 16.4°C | 10.0°C | 3.5°C | 24.3°C | -5.6°C | 105 mm | 80% | 2.1 m/s | 4.6 |
| 1993 | 13.1°C | 7.9°C | 2.6°C | 23.9°C | -6.2°C | 66 mm | 85% | 2.1 m/s | 3.6 |
| 1992 | 16.3°C | 10.1°C | 4.0°C | 23.9°C | -5.1°C | 62 mm | 80% | 2.2 m/s | 4.2 |
| 1991 | 17.0°C | 10.5°C | 4.0°C | 25.3°C | -2.8°C | 88 mm | 76% | 2.3 m/s | 4.5 |
| 1990 | 16.3°C | 11.2°C | 6.0°C | 24.9°C | -4.1°C | 179 mm | 83% | 2 m/s | 3.6 |
| 1989 | 15.7°C | 9.1°C | 2.5°C | 23.6°C | -12.5°C | 131 mm | 85% | 2.2 m/s | 4.1 |
| 1988 | 15.2°C | 8.7°C | 2.3°C | 23.5°C | -5.9°C | 152 mm | 80% | 2.3 m/s | 4.5 |
| 1987 | 16.0°C | 10.0°C | 3.9°C | 23.7°C | -3.2°C | 95 mm | 78% | 2 m/s | 4.5 |
| 1986 | 17.6°C | 10.7°C | 3.7°C | 25.2°C | -5.7°C | 61 mm | 77% | 2.1 m/s | 5.2 |
| 1985 | 17.2°C | 11.6°C | 6.0°C | 25.6°C | -3.1°C | 172 mm | 84% | 2.3 m/s | 3.9 |
| 1984 | 14.1°C | 8.2°C | 2.4°C | 22.3°C | -4.7°C | 144 mm | 81% | 2.3 m/s | 3.9 |
| 1983 | 14.2°C | 8.8°C | 3.3°C | 22.5°C | -4.7°C | 65 mm | 82% | 2.3 m/s | — |
| 1982 | 17.5°C | 11.3°C | 5.0°C | 26.3°C | -4.9°C | 47 mm | 78% | 2.1 m/s | — |
| 1981 | 16.8°C | 10.1°C | 3.5°C | 25.4°C | -3.3°C | 70 mm | 73% | 2 m/s | — |
Actual recorded March data for each year, 1981–2025 — sourced from NASA POWER.
The average high in March is around 16.4°C with lows near 4.1°C (mean 10.3°C), based on 45 years of NASA POWER data.
March averages 106 mm of rainfall in Fort Smith, about average for rainfall. The wettest on record was 280 mm in 2008.
The hottest March reached 30°C in 2017. The coldest dipped to -12.5°C in 1989.
Comparing the earliest years on record (1981–1985) with the most recent (2021–2025), average March temperatures have risen by about 1.4°C. Daytime highs moved from 16°C to 17.9°C and overnight lows from 4°C to 4.9°C over the same span.
March is one of the cooler months of the year in Fort Smith and about average for rainfall, so plan for around 16.4°C daytime highs and 4.1°C at night.
Not quite — March is the 5th coolest month in Fort Smith, averaging 10.3°C.
For March in Fort Smith, pack warm layers and a jacket for chilly mornings, with typical highs of 16.4°C and lows of 4.1°C. Bring an umbrella or light rain jacket too.
Relative humidity in March averages 79% — quite humid.
Average wind speed in March is 2.2 m/s. The windiest March on record averaged 2.6 m/s (1998).
The wettest March on record was 2008 with 280 mm. On average, March sees 106 mm.
All figures are derived from NASA POWER (Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources), based on MERRA-2 satellite reanalysis, covering 1981–2025.
Explore how the weather in Fort Smith behaves each March, based on 45 years of NASA POWER climate data from 1981 to 2025. This page breaks down average temperatures, rainfall, humidity, wind and solar radiation for March specifically, along with year-by-year records and how the month has changed over the decades.
