March in the Grand Strand is usually that weird, transitional bridge where you're desperately trying to manifest summer while the Atlantic Ocean is still trying to remind you it's actually late winter. If you were looking at the Myrtle Beach weather in March 2025, you probably saw a month that didn't just "spring forward"—it practically threw a tantrum.
Honestly, it was a wild ride for anyone visiting. We had the classic sunny "beach days" where you're fine in a t-shirt, but we also had a legitimate State of Emergency. Not exactly what most people have on their vacation bingo card.
The Wildfire and the Wind: Early March Chaos
The month started off with a literal bang, but not the good kind. On March 2, 2025, Governor Henry McMaster had to declare a state of emergency. Why? Wildfires. A massive blaze in the Carolina Forest neighborhood, fueled by some seriously dry conditions and high winds, consumed over 2,000 acres.
If you were there that first week, the "weather" wasn't just about the temperature; it was about the smoke and the wind. Those gusts were no joke. They were pushing the fires across Horry County and making the air quality pretty dicey for a few days.
By March 7, things started to settle as the containment reached 44%, and eventually, the weather did what it does best: it changed. But for those first few days of March 2025, the "sunny and breezy" forecast was actually a recipe for a fire hazard.
What the Temperatures Actually Looked Like
If we strip away the drama of the fires, the mercury mostly behaved like a typical South Carolina spring. Mostly.
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Basically, you had two different climates happening at once. During the day, the high temperatures were creeping up from about 61°F at the start of the month to a much more comfortable 68°F or even 70°F by the time we hit the end of March. On those peak afternoons, sitting on the sand felt amazing.
But don't let the sun fool you.
The nights were still pretty crisp. Lows were hanging around 44°F to 51°F. If you went out to the MarshWalk in Murrells Inlet for dinner without a jacket, you were definitely regretting it by the time the appetizers arrived.
The Water Temperature Reality Check
Here is where most people get it wrong. They see the 70-degree air and think, "Time for a swim!"
Nope.
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The average water temperature in March 2025 stayed stuck around 55°F to 57°F. To put that in perspective, that is "ice bath" territory for most of us. Unless you were one of the surfers at Pier 14 rocking a 3/2mm full wetsuit (and maybe some booties), you weren't staying in that water for more than a thirty-second dare.
Rain, Clouds, and That Random Tornado Watch
Spring in the Carolinas means the atmosphere is basically a giant mixing bowl. In 2025, we had roughly 10 days of rain throughout the month. It wasn't usually those all-day washouts that ruin a trip, but rather quick, aggressive spring showers.
There was one standout day on March 5, 2025, where the city was put under a tornado watch until the early afternoon. It’s a good reminder that "spring break weather" in the South often includes a side of severe thunderstorms.
The cloud cover was pretty consistent too. About 45% of the time, the sky was overcast or mostly cloudy. You'd get these stunning "Carolina Blue" mornings that would slowly fade into a gray, hazy afternoon. It’s just the nature of the coast this time of year.
How the Weather Impacted the Big Events
Despite the early month fires and the occasional rain, the big hitters on the 2025 calendar mostly lucked out.
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- The Myrtle Beach Marathon (March 1): Runners actually had perfect conditions—cool air and low humidity. It was arguably the best weather day of the month for physical activity.
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March 15): North Myrtle Beach was packed. The weather was classic "chamber of commerce" perfection—sunny, mid-60s, and just enough breeze to keep the leprechaun hats flying.
- Run to the Sun Car Show (March 13-15): Over 3,000 classic cars took over the old Myrtle Square Mall site. Aside from a bit of morning mist on the 14th, the chrome stayed dry and the crowds stayed warm.
- The Kite Festival (March 15-16): Held at Huntington Beach State Park, this event actually benefited from those 10-15 mph coastal winds that characterize March.
Packing Advice for Future March Visitors
If you're looking back at the 2025 data to plan a future trip, here's the honest truth: pack like you're going to two different states.
You need your flip-flops for the 2:00 PM sun, but you absolutely need a hoodie or a windbreaker for the 6:00 PM ocean breeze. The humidity isn't "summer sticky" yet, so the air feels thinner and colder than the number on the thermometer suggests.
Also, don't forget the sunscreen. Even when it's only 64°F out, that coastal reflection off the sand and water will fry you before you realize it. We saw plenty of "March lobsters" walking around Broadway at the Beach in 2025 because they thought the cool air meant the sun wasn't working.
Final Thoughts on the March 2025 Vibe
Myrtle Beach weather in March 2025 was a bit of a rollercoaster. It started with an emergency and ended with locals and tourists alike soaking up some genuine pre-summer rays. It wasn't perfect, and it certainly wasn't "swimming weather," but for golfing, shopping, and festivals, it did the job.
Your Next Steps:
- Check the 10-day forecast specifically for "wind gusts" if you're planning on being on the beach; 15mph is nice, 30mph is a sand-blasting.
- Book dining reservations indoors if you're visiting in early March, as patio heaters can't always fight off that 50-degree damp ocean air.
- Look into a wetsuit rental if you actually plan on doing more than dipping your toes in the Atlantic.