It's warm enough, but give them a break! They just went through a LONG winter and March so far has been COLD! Let's hope it lasts! Worst of all, is when it gets warm and THEN they have to suffer cold setbacks!

thats what im really worried about - getting warm then the usual one or two "last" cold spells... I'll still leave my naners coverd.

Last spring was the worst for that - we had a week and a half of 60 and almost 70 degree weather before dropping back down to mid 30's and frosting for a straight week. That's very rare for my area because of the moderating effect of Lake Erie. The lake's effects on our temperature places me inside a strip of solid zone 6a surrounded by zone 5 to the east and south. However, it also prolongs the onset of our spring because the lake is so slow to warm up. I probably won't see temps like yours until the end of March or beginning of April at the earliest! Here's my next week's forcast. I admit I'm slightly jealous of yours. : ) My naners and palm are deffinately staying covered for now.
Thurs: High 45 Low 38
Fri: High 47 Low 33
Sat: High 45 Low 32
Sun: High 49 Low 35
Mon: High 36 Low 28
Tues: High 33 Low 30
Wed: High 34 Low 30
Thurs: High 37 Low 27

it really is hard to complain about the upcoming weather, think we will be getting some benficial rain during that span as well. good luck with your plants!

I think in the case of hardy palms planted in the ground its not so much the air temp that gets vigorous growth going but when the soil begins to warm up,(which is of course caused by sun and warmer air)you can test this by taking the soil temps 4"-6" down,I think once the soil temps hit 50+ you will first see the plants begin to green up and then the first signs of growth.This is also why snow and cold rain this time of year is dangerous, cuz the palms roots are still dormant-

Interesting, spring and fall here are cool/cold and wet. What precautions would your recommend to help overwinter palms successfully given those conditions? Keeping protective cover on until the end of April when soil temps reach 50F at a depth of 4-6"?

This has been a cool winter here as well. These are temps similar to Jan the last few yrs.

Here is a link that might be useful: Weather for my area

I wouldn't call 60s/40s cold. Those are our averages throughout February and the beginning of march. Certainly not the ideal temperatures for palm growth, but it doesn't stop growth either. Jubaea, kentia and triangle palm are three that are actively growing outside in those temps (the kentia opened up a frond in late January with lows in the high 30s). This season is also the prime growing/flowering season for many succulents. The cool temperatures and bright light bring out the screaming colors in many of them. Other plants are already in full swing. decidious trees are already leafed out, magnolias have finished flowering, citrus are about to put on their annual flowering display and succulents are in full swing. All that to say that 60s/40s isn't that cold and does bring with it some growth.

Now i see you're not complaining about the 60s/40s. You're actually glad. Sorry about that.

Well i guess my previous post does answer one of your questions. Some palms may show growth, while other heat lovers (phoenix, chamaerops, washingtonia...) may take a bit longer to resume growth.