Monthly weather
Faroe Islands weather in March — what to expect
Avg temp
3°C
Rainfall
110 mm
Daylight
11h
Wind
28 km/h
Sea temp
7°C
March is the hinge point. Winter hasn't let go yet, but the light is coming back fast enough that you can feel it changing week to week. This is not a warm-weather month — treat it like January with better lighting — but it's the cheapest, quietest time to see the islands before anyone else shows up.
What the weather actually feels like
Average highs of 5°C, lows of 1°C. Rainfall runs around 110mm across roughly 21 days — more rain days than not. Wind averages 28 km/h, still firmly in storm-season territory. This is one of the windier months on the calendar, and gusts during a passing system can be genuinely dangerous on exposed ridges and cliff edges.
Sunshine hours start climbing — about 60 hours for the month, double February's — but don't mistake that for mild weather. Sea temperature sits at 7°C, unchanged from deep winter. UV index is 2, low but no longer zero.
The pattern in March is the same as it's been since November: a clear, still morning can be followed by a full gale by afternoon. Check bad weather resources before committing to anything exposed, and always have an indoor fallback.
Daylight is changing fast
March averages 11 hours of daylight across the month, but the number that matters is the equinox around March 20 — day and night split exactly evenly, 12 hours each. From here, the Faroes gain daylight at one of the fastest rates of the year. A trip at the start of the month looks noticeably different by the end of it.
That accelerating daylight is also why March is the last reliable month for the aurora. Northern Lights season runs October through March, and it effectively ends here — by early April the nights are too short and too bright for a clear view, even on a strong solar activity night. If seeing the aurora matters to your trip, March is your last real shot, and earlier in the month is safer than later.
Hiking opens cautiously
Trails aren't closed in March, but they're not the June free-for-all either. Snow lingers at elevation, ice is common on shaded slopes, and the wind can turn a manageable walk into something you shouldn't be doing without proper gear. The move is low-elevation, calm-day hiking only.
Good options for a calm March day:
- Gjógv — the gorge walk is low, sheltered, and manageable in most conditions.
- Kirkjubøur — flat, historic, easy walking with no exposure.
- Saksun — the valley and tidal lagoon are stunning under snow, and the walk in is gentle.
- Trælanípa — doable on a genuinely calm day, but check wind forecasts before you go. This is an exposed cliff edge.
Anything higher or more exposed — Slættaratindur, Kallur Lighthouse — should wait for spring unless you have real winter hiking experience and the right equipment. Read the hiking guide before you commit to anything.
Photography: snow on the peaks
March is a strong month for a specific kind of shot: dark, wet valleys with a dusting of snow on the higher peaks above them. Clear spells between storms produce dramatic contrast — snow-capped summits like Slættaratindur against green-grey lowlands. You won't get this look in June.
The trade-off is unpredictability. Clear windows can be short and arrive with little warning, so if the sky opens up, move. Waiting for "better light later" often means missing the only clear hour of the day.
Low season, low prices, no crowds
March is deep off-season. Tourist numbers are about as low as they get, accommodation is cheaper, and popular viewpoints are empty rather than merely quiet. If you've been putting off a Faroe Islands trip because of crowd photos from July, March solves that problem entirely — at the cost of worse weather odds and shorter (though rapidly improving) days.
Check getting around for car rental and ferry notes — schedules can run reduced in shoulder season, so confirm current timetables before you travel.
What to pack for March
Full list in our what to pack guide. March essentials:
- Proper winter layers — this is still winter weather, not spring
- Windproof outer shell — 28 km/h average means stronger gusts are routine
- Waterproof boots with grip — ice and mud both show up on the same trail
- Headlamp — useful for early starts and any aurora attempts
- Warm gloves and hat — wind chill matters more than the thermometer
What people actually say about March
The weather whiplash surprises people most. A still, sunny morning with blue sky over snow-dusted hills can turn into horizontal rain within an hour. Locals don't plan a day around forecasts — they plan a morning, then reassess.
Visitors chasing the aurora this late in the season report mixed results: clear nights are less frequent than deep winter, and the window of true darkness is shrinking fast. Early March nights are notably better odds than late March.
The upside people mention repeatedly: empty viewpoints. Standing alone at a spot that has a car park full of tour buses in July is a real and specific pleasure of visiting this early in the year.
Related guides
- Hiking in the Faroe Islands — trails, safety, and logistics
- Bad weather guide — reading forecasts and knowing when to stay in
- What to pack — the complete gear list
- Getting around — car rental, ferries, and buses
- Best time to visit — month-by-month comparison
Frequently asked questions
How many hours of daylight in the Faroe Islands in March?
About 11 hours on average across the month. The equinox around March 20 marks the point where day and night split exactly evenly at 12 hours each, and daylight keeps increasing quickly from there.
Can I see the Northern Lights in the Faroe Islands in March?
March is the last reliable month for the aurora — the season runs from late September to March. By April, nights are too short and too bright for a clear view even with strong solar activity. Earlier in March gives better odds than later in the month.
Is it too cold to hike in the Faroe Islands in March?
It's still winter weather — average highs of 5°C, lows of 1°C, and wind averaging 28 km/h. Low-elevation trails are manageable on calm days, but snow and ice linger higher up. Save exposed ridge routes for later in spring.
Does it rain a lot in the Faroe Islands in March?
Yes — around 110mm of rain across roughly 21 days, more wet days than dry ones. Storms are frequent and can turn a clear morning into a full gale by afternoon, so always have an indoor backup plan.
Is March a good time to visit the Faroe Islands on a budget?
Yes. March is deep off-season — tourist numbers are at their lowest, accommodation is cheaper, and popular viewpoints are empty rather than just quiet. The trade-off is worse weather odds and shorter days than later in spring.
Are puffins in the Faroe Islands in March?
No. Puffins don't return to Mykines until late April, and even then the passenger ferry isn't running yet. March is not a puffin month — plan a May or June visit instead if that's a priority.