Meghalaya in March: Weather, Places to Visit & Tips
March is spring in Meghalaya — warm days, cool nights and green coming back to the hills. It is one of the most comfortable months of the year, with dry roads in Shillong and the first pre-monsoon showers starting around Cherrapunji. Here is what to expect.
Quick answer
March is one of the best months to visit Meghalaya. Shillong is about 11–21°C — pleasant days and cool nights — and mostly dry (about 43 mm of rain in the month). Cherrapunji starts getting pre-monsoon showers. It is good for sightseeing, treks and Dawki, and crowds are thinner than in the October–December peak. Sunset is around 5:25–5:40 PM. A light jacket is enough for evenings.
Key facts at a glance
| Shillong temperature | About 11–21°C |
|---|---|
| Rain | Light — about 43 mm in Shillong; showers start at Sohra |
| Overall | One of the most comfortable months |
| Waterfalls | Still low; start picking up late in the month |
| Dawki river | Normally clear; murky on some days since late 2025 road works |
| Sunrise / sunset (Shillong) | About 5:45 → 5:15 AM / 5:25 → 5:40 PM |
| Crowds | Moderate; busier around long weekends |
| What to pack | Light jacket, layers, small umbrella for Sohra |
Meghalaya weather in March
Shillong in March usually has day-time highs of about 21°C and lows of about 11°C — the start of the most comfortable stretch of the year. Rain is light in Shillong (about 43 mm over roughly 4 rainy days), but Cherrapunji is already wetter: Sohra averages several hundred millimetres in March, mostly as short afternoon showers.
Expect warm, sunny mornings, a little afternoon cloud, and cool but not cold evenings. The hills start turning green again after the dry winter.
- Days: warm and sunny, about 21°C in Shillong
- Nights: cool, about 11°C
- Light rain in Shillong; afternoon showers likely around Cherrapunji
- Mornings are the clearest time for viewpoints
Best places to visit in Meghalaya in March
March works for almost every part of a Meghalaya trip. Do viewpoints and Cherrapunji in the morning, when the skies are clearest.
- Cherrapunji (Sohra): Nohkalikai, Mawsmai Cave and Seven Sisters before the afternoon clouds
- Double Decker Living Root Bridge: good trekking weather before the monsoon makes the steps slippery
- Dawki and Mawlynnong in one long day (see the note on water clarity below)
- Laitlum Canyons for wide views on clear mornings
- Mawphlang Sacred Forest and the David Scott Trail
- Umiam Lake on the way in from Guwahati
Dawki in March: what to expect
In the dry months the Umngot River at Dawki is normally clear enough to see the riverbed. Since late 2025, though, mud from the Shillong–Dawki road widening has made the water murky on some days even in the dry season, so message us before you plan a trip around clear water — our drivers are on that road every week.
Events in March
The Strawberry Festival often runs into March: in 2026 it was at Sohliya (Umsning, Ri-Bhoi) and Tura on 4–7 March. The Monolith Festival at the Mawphlang Khasi Heritage Village returned in March 2024 after an eight-year gap; it has not been confirmed as an every-year event, so check before you travel for it.
Good Friday (26 March in 2027) makes a long weekend, so Shillong hotels and cabs fill up faster around it.
How to plan a March trip
March is easy to plan: dry roads, comfortable temperatures and long enough days. Keep Cherrapunji and Dawki on separate days, and go to Sohra early so you see the falls before afternoon clouds roll in.
- Leave Shillong by about 7 AM for Cherrapunji or Dawki
- Book early if your dates include a long weekend
- Carry a small umbrella for afternoon showers in Sohra
Frequently asked questions
Is March a good time to visit Meghalaya?
Yes — March is one of the best months. Shillong is about 11–21°C, mostly dry, and good for sightseeing, treks and Dawki, with fewer crowds than the October–December peak.
What is the weather in Meghalaya in March?
Warm, sunny days around 21°C and cool nights around 11°C in Shillong, with light rain (about 43 mm in the month). Cherrapunji gets afternoon pre-monsoon showers.
Does it rain in Meghalaya in March?
A little. Shillong stays mostly dry, but Cherrapunji starts getting short afternoon showers in March. Plan Sohra sightseeing for the morning.
Is the Dawki river clear in March?
March is normally a clear-water month. Since late 2025, silt from road works upstream has made the river murky on some days, so check the current state with us before you go.
What should I pack for Meghalaya in March?
Light layers, a light jacket for evenings, comfortable walking shoes and a small umbrella for afternoon showers around Cherrapunji.
Plan & book your trip
Tour Meghalaya runs private cabs and tour packages across Meghalaya. Book directly with a local operator.