TAMPA, Fla. – If you were planning on the common balmy weekend in Tampa Bay, you might want to dig out those heavy coats and thick blankets instead. A powerful arctic front is currently barreling through the region, bringing with it a forecast that looks more like Chicago than Central Florida.
Residents woke up Saturday to gray skies and a biting wind that is only expected to get sharper as the day progresses.
While the thermometer might technically hover near 57 degrees this afternoon, don’t let that number fool you—wind chill values have already dipped as low as 38 degrees this morning, and it’s only going to get colder.
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The real surprise comes tonight. Local meteorologists are tracking a rare window between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. where a slight chance of rain and snow showers could mix over the bay area. While accumulation is highly unlikely, the sheer possibility of snowflakes in a region known for palm trees has the community buzzing.
The overnight low is expected to drop to a frigid 26 degrees, but with gusty north-northwest winds reaching 33 mph, the “feels like” temperature could plummet to a bone-chilling 18 degrees.
Sunday morning won’t offer much of a reprieve from the cold, even as the sun makes a return. Despite clear skies, the high will struggle to reach 46 degrees, and early risers will face wind chills near 16 degrees.
The deep freeze will likely stick around for a few days, with Monday night and Tuesday morning bringing widespread areas of frost as temperatures dip back into the low 30s.
READ: Florida Braces For Deep Freeze As Farmers Scramble To Save Winter Crops
The silver lining in this icy forecast is the quick rebound later in the week. By Wednesday, the arctic air mass is expected to retreat, allowing temperatures to climb back into the low 70s.
However, this warm-up comes with its own set of challenges, as a new weather system brings a 40% chance of rain by Thursday. For now, local officials are encouraging residents to check on their neighbors, bring pets indoors, and protect any sensitive tropical plants that aren’t used to seeing the mercury drop this far below the freezing mark.
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