Jen;
Syrup gives them moisture as well.. IIRC you said they were going after the water pretty heavily?
As long as they can get to water, OR there is minor condensation in the hive they will do splendidly with the patties.
Warmer temps will mean less condensation on the walls for them to harvest, so more flights to collect it.
A couple of points...
As I learned it.. sugar, patties, syrup, are to keep your bees alive until they can get pollen and nectar, IF they are out of honey in the hive. Giving them more than sugar may cause them to rear brood, and consume stores even faster. I know little about patties, I have never used them. So I cant say if thats a good or bad thing. The Protein etc is for baby bees, not the adults.
When daytime temps are warm enough that the bees begiun flying, I put syrup out when I do morning chores, and take it back in the house when I do evening chores. This keeps it warm enough for the bees to fight over. I also begin putting pollen and pollen sub out for them. My goal in so doing is to cause them to begin brooding so they are big and strong when i want to do early splits.
SO; if your just trying to maintain the bees, and they have been looking for water a lot, I would put out syrup nearby, or on the hive if you have a hive top feeder. Putting it on the porch so you can sit and watch them is my preferred method.
Bah.. Iddee beat me to it.
If your bees are already bringing in pollen, they wont be lacking for anything if you put syrup out for them, and it may help them with their need for moisture.