Anyone heading south to the Gulf Coast for spring break might be a little surprised by how cool the water temperatures are. This is largely due to the frequent southward plunges of cold air this winter. Check out this site for real-time water temperatures.
From South Padre Island TX to Panama City FL, clear around to Naples FL, Gulf of Mexico surf temperatures are running below the norm for early March… in some cases as much as 3 or 4 degrees colder than average.
For example, South Padre’s latest water temp was a shade above 60, and Pensacola reported water temperatures in the middle 50s.
The Atlantic Coast side of Florida is bit warmer, with ocean temperatures at Miami Beach around 70.
I really don’t think anyone heading that way from here, after the winter we’ve had, will mind too much though!
*Jim D.
NBC12 Weather Blog 
Does this have any impact on the tropic storm season? Could it mean a late start in activity as the water temps are slower to warm due to the a-typical southern cold snap?