The evening and nights are often quite chilly, but the days usually become pleasantly warm.
Conditions are frequently ripe for sea breeze development, and it’s not unusual to have a force 6 wind blowing along the shore-line during the afternoon . This not only lifts the sand, but with sea temperatures reluctant to rise from 15 Celsius (59F) it can feel decidedly cold.
Those caught up in the afternoon swirl of sand need only stroll a few hundred metres inland for calmer winds and more comfortable temperatures.
The sea breezes usually start late morning so early risers can spend several pleasant hours sitting on the beach with only sandpipers and the odd boisterous dog for company.
Unsettled weather occurs from time to time during March, with any rain a welcome replenishment for the inland reservoirs before the onset of the hot, dry summer.
The source of the rainfall is similar to that seen during the winter months, either from weakening weather fronts moving across Iberia from the west, or, rarely from slow-moving depressions in the western Mediterranean, or over North Africa.
Two other weather features make more of an appearance during March, namely showers due to the heating of the ground, and sea fog. In an unstable west or southwesterly airstream, the first signs of shower development occur mid morning, but the heaviest showers are usually reserved for the afternoon.
The mountains often attract the worst of the showers, perhaps with thunder, and although sunshine occurs between the showers, for the residents of Malaga it can be a fairly dull afternoon as showers cluster together over the Sierra De Mijas and the resulting cloud drifts across Malaga, not to disperse until well into the evening.
On the note of dispersion.
Fog occasionally presents a problem for the Controllers at Malaga Airport, and perhaps some are already familiar with the trip along the motorway from Sevilla to fogbound Malaga.
The fog usually occurs when hot air from North Africa crosses the sea, cools and condenses and produces a chilly grey blanket which can sometimes last for 2 or 3 days. It is a comforting thought, though, that you only need to travel a few kilometres inland to emerge from the fog into hot sunshine.
A glorious month for those who appreciate the natural world with abundant wildlife for all to see. By the end of the month temperatures into the mid 20s Celsius (mid 70s F) are not uncommon, but it is certainly not a time for a beach holiday, unless of course you are a windsurfer.