Early-bird boaters are launching their craft, eager gardeners were out buying plants, and teenage girls were sporting short shorts and halter tops.

But that was last week. This week, we’re back to wearing mittens, and next week we may be shoveling snow. Welcome to New England.

Area residents seems to be rolling with Mother Nature’s punches.

Next week, temperatures are predicted to remain between 40 and 50 degrees with the possibility of snow says Bill Simpson, meteorologist with the National Weather Service based in Taunton.

“It was relatively rare that it happened last week,” Simpson said of the summer-like temperatures. “Next week I wouldn’t be surprised if we have snow.”

The all-time high temperature in March for the South Coast is 89 degrees, he said.

Last week didn’t quite reach that high, but it’s not unusual for the weather to fluctuate this time of year, he said.

Area residents took advantage of the brief burst of warmth.

Many residents who stow their boats at Barden’s Boat Yard in Marion got their vessels in the water last week, said Barden’s employee Lauren Lemieux.

“We always go as early as possible,” she said, “but it was a little unusual to have as many go out.”

Some boaters remain cautious, however.

In Mattapoisett, Harbormaster Horace Fields said the local boat owners are still holding off a bit before launching.

“The boats are usually in by the end of April, but with good weather we could get them in earlier than that,” Fields said. “They’re waiting right now.”

Like the ambitious boaters, some gardeners are taking advantage of the mild weather.

Stephen Gonsalves, owner of Eden’s Florist and Garden shop in Marion, said his selling season is ahead of schedule.

“The season is already three weeks ahead of where I am normally this time of year,” Gonsalves said. “People have been coming in, ready to do some planting.”

Gonsalves noted that he tries not to get his hopes up in March. After all, it could be snowing next week!

“This week is a little dose of reality,” he said. “There are always extremes in March. It can be mild like last week and then you get the kick in the pants with the snow.”

Though Gonsalves has stocked his shop with evergreens, he said he would wait before bringing anything else in from his growers until the end of April, when the weather is more predictable.

Mattapoisett resident Joyce Kodis said she is also being cautious with her 60 orchids.

Kodis has been growing orchids for the past 12 years and says her plants will stay indoors until June.

“Mother Nature can be very fickle,” she said. “This is the most unusual March I can recall, but we can get killing frost. It happened to me before and I learned my lesson. My orchids are indoors until June 6.”

Though the current temperatures are more typical of March, Dr. Karen Walega, Health Director for Marion and Rochester, says residents will see the effect of the unseasonably warm winter.

“There is going to be a tremendous amount of ticks,” said Dr. Karen Walega, Health Director for Marion and Rochester. “Because we didn’t have the severe winter, most of the ticks survived. People need to be concerned and check their children and their pets daily for ticks.”

Walega said local residents should consult their physicians within 24 hours of finding a tick on their person to ward off risks of Lyme disease.

Mosquitoes will likely be another problem this summer, she said.

“I think we can predict a very buggy year because we haven’t had a lot of rain,” Walega said. “Everyone should be aware if they are outside... and have their mosquito repellent handy.”

By the way, if Mother Nature switches it up and swaps snow for more 80-degree temperatures, don't grab your bathing suit just yet. Fields says it’s better to wait until the end of May.

“Even though it’s warm out, the water is only around 40 degrees,” he noted.

By the time Memorial Day rolls around swimmers should be ready to go, he said.