Tampa Bay, Florida – A Freeze Warning and Cold Weather Advisory are in effect across portions of west central and southwest Florida from midnight Sunday night through 9 AM EST Monday, as unusually cold air moves into the region.
According to the National Weather Service in Tampa Bay/Ruskin, overnight temperatures are expected to fall to as low as 25 degrees, with wind chills dropping into the low to mid-20s. Coastal areas farther south may see wind chills as low as 27 degrees, while inland locations experience the coldest conditions.
The Freeze Warning applies to parts of central and north-central Florida, including Polk, Sumter, Citrus, Hernando, Levy, Pasco, and Hillsborough counties. The Cold Weather Advisory extends farther south into Pinellas, Hardee, Highlands, DeSoto, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, and Lee counties, affecting both inland and coastal communities.
Cities included across the alert area include Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Plant City, Brooksville, Zephyrhills, Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Port Charlotte, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Sebring, and Wauchula.
The National Weather Service warns that frost and freeze conditions could damage or kill sensitive vegetation and may impact unprotected outdoor plumbing. Prolonged exposure to cold wind chills may also lead to hypothermia, especially for those outdoors overnight or during early morning hours.
Residents are urged to protect tender plants, bring pets indoors, and use caution when traveling outside. Warm clothing, including hats and gloves, is recommended despite Florida’s typically mild climate.
Conditions are expected to gradually improve after mid-morning Monday as temperatures rise.
