March is the first month of the year where you feel the temperature begin to rise. March guarantees at least a few days above freezing, and is the beginning of the winter thaw.

What makes March unique is the ice cover on Lake Superior. Ice cover has been recorded since 1973. In that time, NOAA data says Lake Superior has frozen over 100% exactly once, which occurred March 8, 1996. Since being recorded, Lake Superior reaches an average maximum ice cover of just 50% on March 3.

I began this project in 2019, one of the most wintery winters I’ve ever experienced with Superior reaching over 90% ice cover. The following year, it hardly crossed 20% at its max.

It’s hard to believe the first day of Spring happens in March.

“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” ― Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

Temperatures

Coldest Sunrise
-20º F
Avg. temp
18º F
Hottest Sunrise
40º F

2019

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
Sunrise from Marquette Harbor Lighthouse
1
Sunrise from Mouth of the Carp
2
Sunrise from Washington Street
3
Sunrise from McCarty's Cove
4
Sunrise from Lower Harbor Breakwall
5
Sunrise from Presque Isle
6
Sunrise from McCarty's Cove
7
Sunrise from Clark Lambros Park
8
Sunrise from Black Rocks
9
Sunrise from McCarty's Cove
10
Sunrise from Founders Landing
11
Sunrise from Little Presque Isle
12
Sunrise from Clark Lambros Park
13
Sunrise from Bum's Beach
14
Sunrise from Presque Isle
15
Sunrise from McCarty's Cove
16
Sunrise from Marquette Yacht Club
17
Sunrise from Presque Isle Breakwall
18
Sunrise from Marquette Harbor Lighthouse
19
Sunrise from Picnic Rocks
20
Sunrise from Presque Isle
21
Sunrise from Bum's Beach
22
Sunrise from Clark Lambros Park
23
Sunrise from McCarty's Cove
24
Sunrise from Shiras Park
25
Sunrise from Dead River Basin
26
Sunrise from Grand Island Ferry Dock
27
Sunrise from Ford Lake
28
Sunrise from Riverside Park
29
Sunrise from Michigan & Huron
30
Sunrise from McCarty's Cove
31

2020

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
Sunrise from Marquette Harbor Lighthouse
1
Sunrise from Presque Isle
2
Sunrise from Shiras Park
3
Sunrise from Picnic Rocks
4
Sunrise from Coast Guard Station
5
Sunrise from Clark Lambros Park
6
Sunrise from Washington & Third
7
Sunrise from Shiras Park
8
Sunrise from Clark Lambros Park
9
Sunrise from Founders Landing
10
Sunrise from Clark Lambros Park
11
Sunrise from Clark Lambros Park
12
Sunrise from Presque Isle
13
Sunrise from McCarty's Cove
14
Sunrise from NOAA Station MCGM4
15
Sunrise from McCarty's Cove
16
Sunrise from Marquette Harbor Lighthouse
17
Sunrise from Clark Lambros Park
18
Sunrise from Shiras Park
19
Sunrise from McCarty's Cove
20
Sunrise from Big Bay Road
21
Sunrise from McCarty's Cove
22
Sunrise from South of Picnic Rocks
23
Sunrise from Clark Lambros Park
24
Sunrise from Picnic Rocks
25
Sunrise from McCarty's Cove
26
Sunrise from Bum's Beach
27
Sunrise from Clark Lambros Park
28
Sunrise from Shiras Park
29
Sunrise from McCarty's Cove
30
Sunrise from Presque Isle Breakwall
31