TAMPA, Fla. — As much of the country feels the brunt of the arctic air pushing across the nation, the Tampa Bay area is bracing for its own taste of the cold.
In anticipation of below-freezing temperatures, the National Weather Service (NWS) has upgraded its hard freeze and freeze watches to warnings for much of the Tampa Bay area. These warnings are from 3 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday. Freeze watches remain for Sunday morning.
Additionally, all of the Tampa Bay area is now under a wind chill advisory for early Saturday. The advisory is in place from 1 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday. The wind chills could get as low as 20 degrees.
A freeze warning has been issued for the following Tampa Bay area counties:
Polk, Hardee, Highlands, coastal Pasco, coastal and inland Hillsborough and inland Manatee counties. Sub-freezing temperatures will be as low as 31 degrees.
A hard freeze warning has been issued in the following Tampa Bay area counties:
Coastal and inland Citrus, coastal and inland Hernando, and inland Pasco counties. Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 24 degrees will be possible.
Currently, the NWS is continuing its freeze and hard freeze watches through Saturday night into Sunday morning.
When is this happening?
The freeze watches take effect from late Friday night through Saturday morning, NWS says.
The warnings then take effect from 3 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday. The wind chill advisory is in place from 1 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday.
The impacts of frost and freeze conditions have the potential to kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and could possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
What's the difference between a freeze warning and a hard freeze warning?
The NWS says the main difference is just how low those sub-freezing temperatures will go.
Areas under a freeze watch have the potential to see sub-freezing temperatures as low as 31 degrees.
Places under a hard freeze watch could potentially see sub-freezing temperatures as low as 24 degrees.
Ways to be prepared
If you have "tender" plants that are especially susceptible to the cold, you should take steps to protect them from the elements.
When thinking about your pipes, you can prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes by wrapping, draining or allowing them to drip slowly.
If you have an in-ground sprinkler system, you should drain them. Above-ground pipes should be covered to protect them from freezing.
Additionally, do not forget about your pets! Make sure they are brought inside to keep them safe from freezing temperatures.
