Freeze Warning, Rough Waters: Tampa Bay Area Weather

TAMPA, FL — Residents and visitors in the Tampa Bay area are being warned to exercise caution on local waters and to bundle up for what is expected to be a chilly night across the region. Following a cold front that moved through the region earlier in the week, forecasters at the National Weather Service in Ruskin say conditions are ripe for creating turbulent waters and cold temperatures.

A freeze warning has gone up for the early morning hours Thursday in Hernando, Citrus, Levy and Sumter counties. Forecasters anticipate the overnight low in Brooksville could dip into the upper 20s. Anticipated overnight temperatures are expected to come in above freezing in areas south of Hernando, but not by much. Forecasters expect an overnight low Wednesday around 34 degrees in Land O’ Lakes, 40 in Tampa and 38 in Sarasota. Interior communities, such as Brandon, may witness lows around 36 degrees, according to the weather service.

"Lows Thursday morning will range from the upper 20s to near freezing north to the mid to upper 30s elsewhere," the weather service warned on Facebook. "Temperatures near the coast will generally remain in the upper 30s to low 40s. Wind chills Thursday morning will be in the mid 20s to low 30s over the entire region. A gradual warm up is forecast Friday into the weekend with temperatures returning to near normal."

As of Wednesday morning, no counties in the Tampa Bay area had announced openings of their cold weather shelters.

See also: Tampa Bay Coast Guard Crews Rescue 7 People In 12 Hours

People with plans on local waters are also being urged to exercise caution over the next day or so. A small craft advisory remains in effect throughout west central Florida with rip currents at area beaches also a lingering concern.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Coast Guard reported its crews pulled seven people from waters along the west coast in a 12-hour period. Two swimmers were also reported missing in Pinellas County after currents pulled them away from the charter boat they were on. People with small boats are being urged to stay off coastal waters. Swimmers are being asked to pay attention to lifeguard warnings.

Projected wind chill graphic courtesy of the National Weather Service