March is off to a chilly start, but you can expect a rapid warm-up later in the first week. March is what I think of as a transition month; we can still have some rather cool weather, but between cold fronts we often experience temperatures in the low 80's, especially in south Florida.

March is generally a dry month; rain is infrequent and thunder and lightning are rare. Cool breezes are usually present on the beaches even on the warmest days.

Here are some average temperatures (in degrees Fahrenheit) around the state in March:

Panama City Beach - Hi 72, low 50, water 63

Jacksonville Beach - Hi 75, low 54, water 62

Daytona Beach - Hi 75, low 54, water 65

Ft. Lauderdale Beach - Hi 80, low 64, water 75

Key West - Hi 80, low 70, water 75

Marco Island - Hi 80, low 59, water 71

Fort Myers Beach - Hi 81, low 60, water 70

St. Pete Beach - Hi 75, low 60, water 68

Temperatures can vary by as much as 15 degrees during a strong cool front, and the last week in March is usually a few degrees warmer than the first week. March is a great time to visit places that might be too hot, wet or buggy during the peak of summer.