Shelters open, freeze watches in place as temperatures drop across Tampa Bay area
TAMPA, Fla. - Some of the Tampa Bay area's northernmost counties are under a freeze watch through the weekend after a cold front moved southeast across Florida Friday morning.
Rain came ahead of the cold front, which also brought sustained winds between 10 and 20 miles per hour. Gusts in some areas were around 35 miles per hour.
Temperatures in Tampa over the weekend to dip into the 40s
Temperatures along Pinellas County beaches were in the low 60s Friday morning, but by 4 p.m., they had dropped a full 10 degrees.
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By Friday night and into Saturday morning, thermometers will read in the mid 40s. In northern parts of the Tampa Bay area, temperatures may dip into the high 30s.
Early Friday evening, the National Weather Service issued a freeze watch for parts of Citrus, Hernando, and Sumter counties through Sunday morning. Wind chill advisories were in effect for many Bay Area counties, as well.
The cold snap is expected to last through the weekend. Spring-like weather returns Tuesday with a high around 75°.
Until then, windy and cold conditions have prompted several counties to open cold weather shelters through the weekend.
Hillsborough County cold weather shelter
Hillsborough County’s cold weather shelters will be open Friday, Jan. 13, Saturday, Jan. 14, and Sunday, Jan. 15, from 6 p.m. until 8 a.m. the following morning. Shelter organizers say space may be limited at some locations. The below list of shelters will only accommodate adults. Shelter information for families with children is below.
Locations:
- Amazing Love Ministries, 3304 E. Columbus Dr., Tampa, FL 33602
- Church of God of Prophecy Hyde Park,107 S. Oregon Ave., Tampa, FL 33606
- Greater New Hope Church Anointed Ministries (Prayer Retreat Center), 2104 Mud Lake Rd., Plant City, FL 33566
- Homeless Helping Homeless, 801 E. Saint Clair St., Tampa, FL 33602
- Homeless Helping Homeless, 3008 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, FL 33602
- Hyde Park United Methodist Church, 500 W. Platt St., Tampa, FL 33606
- New Life Church in Tampa (pet friendly), 8216 N. 13th St. Tampa, FL 33604 Tampa Bay Mission of Hope, 212 S. St. Cloud Ave. Building A, Valrico, FL 33594
Metropolitan Ministries and Generations Renewed are supplying a limited number of single-night motel vouchers on a first-come, first-served basis for families with minor children. Pre-registration is required by calling the numbers below. Phone lines turn on at 9 a.m., and the deadline to call is 5 p.m.
- Families in Tampa call (813) 209-1176
- Families in Plant City call (813) 562-4495
Pasco County cold weather shelter
Pasco County says the Mike Fasano Regional Hurricane Shelter will be open overnight Saturday, Jan. 14 and Sunday, Jan. 15. The shelter at 11611 Denton Avenue in Hudson will open each night at 6 p.m. and close at 10 a.m. the following day.
Transportation and meals will not be provided.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Sarasota County cold weather shelter
Sarasota County Emergency Management officials have worked with community and municipal partners to open cold weather shelters:
- The Salvation Army – Center of Hope, 1400 10th St., Sarasota will conduct their cold weather operation plan on Saturday, Jan. 14 and Sunday, Jan. 15 with intake beginning at 4:40 p.m. Dinner will be served at 5 p.m. Breakfast will be served at 5:30 a.m.
- 100 Church, 14525 Tamiami Trail in North Port will also open a cold weather shelter on Sunday, January 15.
- Sarasota County Transit Routes 2, 7, 8, or 99 operating on normal schedules will arrive within about two blocks of the Salvation Army on 10th St.
The Breeze Rider app can also be used to check bus arrival times and plan routes.