Large portions of west central and southwest Florida are under a Cold Weather Advisory as unusually cold overnight conditions develop late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Tampa Bay–Ruskin, wind chills are expected to drop as low as 27 degrees across much of coastal and inland southwest Florida, including Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Highlands, Hardee, and DeSoto counties. The advisory is in effect from midnight Tuesday night through 9 a.m. EST Wednesday.
Farther north, Sumter, Levy, Citrus, and Hernando counties are under both a Cold Weather Advisory and a Freeze Watch. In these areas, wind chills could fall as low as 23 degrees, while air temperatures may drop to 28 degrees, raising the risk of frost or freezing conditions from late Tuesday night through Wednesday morning.
Communities affected include Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Sarasota, Bradenton, Fort Myers, Punta Gorda, Brooksville, Inverness, Crystal River, Bushnell, and The Villages, among others.
The National Weather Service warns that these conditions could damage cold-sensitive vegetation, impact agricultural interests, and potentially affect unprotected outdoor plumbing in freeze-prone areas. People without adequate shelter or cold-weather clothing may also be at risk during the coldest hours.
Residents are urged to dress in layers, bring pets indoors, and take steps to protect tender plants and exposed pipes. Officials also recommend limiting time outdoors overnight and early Wednesday morning.
Temperatures are expected to improve after sunrise Wednesday, but residents should continue to monitor local forecasts in case Freeze Watches are upgraded.
