Blast Of Cold Anticipated Overnight Wednesday

TAMPA, FL — With overnight temperatures Wednesday anticipated to drop to near-freezing levels in many parts of the Tampa Bay area, local governments are warning residents to bundle up.

Cold weather shelters are also opening across the region to accommodate those without housing or adequate heat. Hillsborough, Pasco and Sarasota counties have all announced their shelters will open for business Wednesday evening.

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures will drop into the 30s in much of the region in the overnight hours and some residents may find frost on the ground when they get moving Thursday morning. Just how cold it might get depends on the part of the region in question.

Forecasters anticipate lows around 34 in the eastern part of Hillsborough County, but those in Tampa might only see a drop to about 40. Residents of Land O’ Lakes can expect a low around 34 degrees while New Port Richey is expected to see temperatures in the upper 30s. Those in the Sarasota area can anticipate a low in the mid-30s, but wind chills could make it feel much cooler.

Folks in Pinellas and Manatee counties are expected to fare a little better. The overnight low in St. Petersburg is expected to fall into the upper 40s with the low in Clearwater and Bradenton anticipated to drop into the lower 40s.

Forecasters expect a high in the low 60s and plenty of sunshine on Thursday. Overnight temperatures shouldn’t be quite as cold. Friday’s high is expected to reach about 70 in much of the area.

To find out about cold weather shelters opening Wednesday, visit your local county government online.

For an extended forecast in your neighborhood, visit your local Patch’s homepage.

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