Tampa, Florida – A dangerous cold surge will settle across west central and southwest Florida tonight, bringing freezing temperatures and biting wind chills that threaten crops, outdoor plumbing, and pets by early Monday morning. Temperatures are expected to drop quickly after sunset, with the coldest conditions arriving before sunrise.
According to the National Weather Service in Tampa Bay Ruskin, a Freeze Warning is in effect from 7 p.m. Sunday through 9 a.m. Monday, along with a Cold Weather Advisory lasting until 10 a.m. Monday. Lows are expected to fall to around 22 degrees in colder inland locations, while wind chills could dip as low as 20 degrees across the region.
The cold will impact a wide stretch of Florida, including Tampa, Lakeland, Brandon, Plant City, Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Punta Gorda, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Brooksville, Inverness, Arcadia, Sebring, and The Villages. Coastal communities such as Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Anna Maria Island, Sanibel, and Captiva will feel the chill as well, though inland areas face the highest risk of hard freezes and frozen pipes.
Residents are urged to bring pets indoors, cover sensitive plants, and protect exposed pipes by wrapping them or allowing faucets to drip slowly. Dress in warm layers if heading outside and limit time outdoors overnight. Freeze conditions are expected to ease after sunrise Monday, though additional cold weather alerts may follow if temperatures recover slowly.
