Chris,
The warmer water temperature is indirectly related to the increase in rainfall. The largest contributing factor to the above normal water temperatures has been the 6-10 degree postive (above normal) land surface temperatures during January and February. As a result of the warm weather, we had virtually no snow, which acts like a refrigerant, cooling the ocean much like ice cubes cool our soda. Ocean temperatures never really decreased after January 1st. Typically, the coldest water temps of the year are in mid-February. This year, temps were actually rising by mid-February.
I know this site has been mentioned before but it is worth another look
http://www-pcmdi.llnl.gov/fiorino/wxmap/ngp/archive/98030900/ngp.sst.000.conus.htm
It is interesting to note that temps in the mid-atlantic are only slightly above normal. So, even though our temps here are way above normal, unless the stripers in Delaware have cell phones, there is no way they could know the water is warmer here. I think more than likely we will see a much earlier than normal season, but, I think the majority of the real early catches will be the winter over stripers that start feeding earlier than normal because of our local conditions. The Bay stripers will probably arrive on time, or a week or so early. I have friends on the Jersey shore telling me that they have been catching them 2-3 weeks early down by Ocean City, NJ, so who knows?
Scott