Israel Weather in March: The Beginning of Spring, Places to Visit

March is the beginning of spring in Israel. The harsh winter conditions of the previous three months are replaced with warmer temperatures and fewer rainy days in most parts of the country. While Jerusalem and Tel Aviv do experience moderate amounts of rainfall during this month, Ein Bokek and the Dead Sea remain warm and dry, while the extreme north starts seeing its last few remnants of snow melt away.

Still a part of the off-season, March remains a great time for you to visit Israel. There aren't as many tourists visiting during most of the month, meaning you can enjoy the very best Israel has to offer by visiting all its world-famous historic sites and museums without too many crowds and tour groups getting in the way.

The last week of March, however, sees Christians from all over the country and abroad come to Israel to celebrate Easter which takes place at the very end of March or the beginning of April, depending on the year. This results in an uptick in business in most major biblical landmarks of the country.

As temperatures start to warm in Israel during the month of March, you don't need to pack any heavy-duty winter attire. Just remember to pack a couple of sweaters or fleece jackets for the slightly cooler evenings in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Tiberias, and warm weather clothing and beachwear for Ein Bokek and the Dead Sea.

Content Preview

• 1. Weather Overview
• 2. Weather by Region
• 3. Best Places to See
• 4. Crowds and Costs
• 5. What to Wear
• 6. March Events

Israel Weather in March: Overview

• Average temperature range: 12°C-21°C (54°F-69°F)
• Wet Season: Jerusalem and Tel Aviv (moderate rainfall)
• Dry Season: The Dead Sea
• Rainfall: 90 mm (4 inches) in Jerusalem; 60 mm (2 inches) in Tel Aviv; 10 mm (0.4 inches) in the Dead Sea
• Rainy days: 10 in Jerusalem; 10 in Tel Aviv; 3 in the Dead Sea

March Weather in Israel by Region

Israel has four separate climate regions, and weather conditions in March can range from mildly damp to warm and dry, depending on which part of the country you find yourself in.

Northern Hills and Tiberias: 12°C-23°C (54°F-73°F)

March is mildly damp in Tiberias and the Northern Hills of Israel. The average maximum daytime temperature in Tiberias during March is around 21°C (70°F), whereas the minimum temperature is around 13°C (55°F).

Although there is moderate rainfall in Tiberias during March, it remains a very good time to visit this northern region of the country as there's plenty of sunshine for most of the month. About 60 mm (2 inches) of rainfall is usually recorded in this area during March, and you can expect scattered showers for a week or so.

Suggested reading: 2-Week Jordan and Israel Itineraries for First-Timers >>>

Tel Aviv and Haifa: 12°C-19°C (54°F-66°F)

Tel Aviv and Haifa both experience similar weather conditions during the month of March, with their average maximum daytime temperatures remaining closer to 19°C (66°F) and their average minimum nighttime temperatures falling to 12°C (54°F).

It is mildly damp and slightly muggy in Tel Aviv and Haifa during March, with it raining for about 10 days of the month. Records show that about 60 mm (2 inches) of rainfall can be expected in these Israeli cities in March.

Jerusalem and Central Israel: 8°C-15°C (46°F-59°F)

Jerusalem is marked by cool yet slightly damp weather patterns during March. The average maximum daytime temperature hovers around the 15°C (59°F) mark. The average minimum temperature in Jerusalem (recorded at nighttime) hovers around the 9°C (48°F) mark.

Overall, it is very pleasant in the capital city of Jerusalem. It does rain for about 10 days of the month but it is not very muggy at all, with plenty of blue skies and hours of sunshine enveloping the city for the remaining two-thirds of the month. About 90 mm (4 inches) of rainfall can be expected in Jerusalem during this time.

The Southern Desert and the Dead Sea: 17°C-25°C (63°F-77°F)

The weather in the Southern Desert and the Dead Sea is pleasant and very comfortable during March. The average maximum daytime temperature in Ein Bokek and the Dead Sea is 25°C (77°F) whereas the average minimum nighttime temperature is closer to 17°C (63°F).

It remains mild and dry in the Dead Sea with about 10 mm (0.4 inches) of rainfall generally being shed upon the region during the month of March. It only rains for 3 days of the month, and humidity levels remain low at 33%, meaning it's comfortable and not muggy at all.

Get some ideas about how long to spend in Israel and handpicked itineraries>>>

18-Day Egypt Jordan and Israel's Treasures Discovery Tour

Best Places to See in Israel in March

1. Jerusalem

Jerusalem is the best place to experience the auspicious festival of Easter. The famous Good Friday Procession takes place in the Christian Quarter of the Old City and even though there'll be more people in the city during these few days than in any other time over the course of March, this grand celebration of Easter ought not to be missed.

Jerusalem is also home to day-long celebrations and street parties during the immensely lively festivities of the Purim holiday. If you like dressing up and don't mind a drink or two, you'll find plenty of locals having the time of their lives on the streets of Jerusalem during the days leading up to, and on, Purim.

2. Nazareth

The hometown of the Virgin Mary and Joseph, Nazareth is the largest city in the Northern District of Israel. The weather remains largely favorable during March in this "Arab Capital of Israel", meaning a visit to the Church of the Annunciation is not only easily doable but also a must if you wish to learn more about the history of the Holy Land.

3. Ein Bokek and the Dead Sea

The weather is mild, dry, and comfortable in Ein Bokek during March, meaning a stop here before you make your way to the Dead Sea for your afternoon swim is recommended. You can enjoy floating in the waters of the Dead Sea and cover yourself in the mineral-rich black mud of this world-famous beach.

March Crowds and Costs

Despite the onset of warmer weather, March remains part of the off-season in Israel. This means there aren't many tourists traveling to, and within, the country during most of the month, resulting in fewer crowds and favorable prices when touring the Holy Land.

That being said, the week leading up to Purim does see an increase in local tourism in the cities of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Easter, too, sees an increase in travelers – both local and foreign – coming to Israel towards the end of the month of March.

Check out more price details about the cost of a trip to Israel>>>

15-Day Best of Israel Jordan and Egypt Family Tour

What to Wear in Israel in March

Overall, Israel is marked by cool yet mildly damp weather conditions in the central and northern regions of the country, and warm, dry, weather in the Dead Sea during the month of March. Ein Bokek is warm and sunny during this time and all you need to bring with you are your summer clothes and your best beachwear for your afternoon swim in the Dead Sea.

Jerusalem and Tel Aviv are affected by moderate rainfall during March, so be sure to pack your umbrellas and rain jackets. Temperatures do drop after sunset, so do also remember to bring some sweaters and fleece jackets with you for your evenings in these two areas.

10-Day Israel In-Depth Tour

March Events in Israel

Yom Ha'Aliyah (Aliyah Day): Yom Ha'Aliyah, also known as Aliyah Day, is a very important Israeli holiday celebrated annually to commemorate the Jewish people entering the Land of Israel. It is usually celebrated in March or April, depending on the year (on the 10th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan). Since school is not usually in session during this time, a second celebration of the same holiday takes place around October, so that schools will have the opportunity to teach students about the importance of this day. It is an official holiday in the country but businesses are advised to remain open as usual.

Easter: Easter, also known as Pascha or Resurrection Sunday, is a very important cultural holiday celebrated nationwide in Israel. Although March is technically still part of the off-season in Israel, one can expect large crowds as Christians from all over the country and abroad visit Jerusalem towards the end of the month. The most iconic Easter celebration in Jerusalem is the Good Friday Procession that takes place in the Christian Quarter of the Old City. Although not an official public holiday in Israel, you can expect many Israelis, especially those belonging to the Christian faith, to keep their businesses closed during this auspicious day.

Purim: Purim is a wildly popular and immensely joyous Jewish holiday commemorating the survival of the Jewish people who were marked for death by the Persians in the 5th century. Today, the festival is celebrated with great gusto in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv for a couple of days in March (dates differ depending on the year) and the streets of both cities are packed with people drinking and dressing up. Think of it as a beautiful cross between Halloween, Holi, and Mardi Gras. Although not an official public holiday, many locals tend to keep their businesses closed during Purim, so that they can join in on the festivities themselves.

Monthly Weather in Israel

Explore Israel with Global Highlights

For the perfect March trip to Israel, look no further than Global Highlights! We specialize in creating tailor-made tours that not only consider your travel goals but also work with the weather to make your dream trip. Let us deal with the planning stress so that you can just enjoy the journey.