Florida – A sharp winter chill settles over the Tampa Bay region before sunrise, rattling palm fronds and sending a rare bite of cold through the air. Gusty winds, rough surf, and unseasonably low temperatures are creating a combination of land and marine hazards early this morning.
According to the National Weather Service office in Tampa Bay–Ruskin, a Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect through the morning hours for coastal and inland counties. Wind chills have dipped into the mid-20s in spots, especially away from the immediate shoreline. A High Rip Current Risk is also in place along Gulf-facing beaches through this evening, making swimming dangerous even for experienced beachgoers.
Temperatures near Tampa International Airport hovered in the low 40s early, with north winds gusting above 20 mph. Along Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, and Anna Maria Island, rough surf and strong currents are expected to persist most of the day. Officials advise staying out of the water and securing small boats in exposed marinas.
While sunshine returns later today, the cold pattern does not break quickly. Another reinforcing shot of cool air arrives midweek, keeping overnight lows in the 30s across interior Hillsborough, Polk, and Pasco counties. By Thursday night into the weekend, forecasters are monitoring the potential for even colder conditions as Arctic air pushes deeper into the Southeast.
This system is tied to a larger winter pattern producing back-to-back snowstorms across the Mid-Atlantic and New England. In Florida, the impacts focus on cold-sensitive plants, outdoor pets, and continued marine hazards.
Residents should dress in layers this morning, limit early beach activity, and prepare now for colder nights later this week. Additional advisories may be issued as temperatures trend lower toward the weekend.
