Cold Weather, Freeze Warnings Go Up in the Bay

Tampa Bay area residents are in for a bumpy few nights as winter, it seems, has finally arrived.

The National Weather Service is predicting two nights of freezing or near freezing temperatures throughout most of the region as a strong cold front makes itself known. Forecasters have issued hazardous weather warnings throughout much of the Bay, including a wind chill advisory that kicks in at 10 p.m. Wednesday and lasts through Thursday morning.

A freeze watch has also been issued for inland Sarasota, Hillsborough and Manatee counties from late Thursday night into Friday morning. Pasco County is under a hard freeze watch from Thursday evening until Friday morning.

Forecasters anticipate Wednesday’s high to reach only the upper 50s with a low down in the 30s in most parts of the region. Thursday will bring sunny conditions, but a high only around the low 50s.

Overnight Thursday, a real bite of cold is expected as temperatures throughout much of the area plummet below freezing.

Those going out on Bay area waters are also warned of a high potential for rip current formation. Swimmers should exercise caution and heed lifeguard warnings.

Conditions begin to turn for the better during the daytime Friday when the high will once again reach the upper 50s with a low only down into the mid-40s.

For a complete look at Tampa Bay area weather, visit the National Weather Service online.

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