Tampa Weather Alert: Dangerous Storm System Brings Flash-Flood Risk—Live Updates & Hour-by-Hour Forecast

Tampa, FL—A powerful Arctic high has pushed deep into Florida, delivering the coldest stretch the Bay Area has seen this winter. Tampa’s thermometer bottomed out near 41 °F before dawn and will claw its way only into the upper-50s this afternoon under bright blue skies. The chill lingers tonight as clear skies, light northerly winds and dry air allow readings to tumble into the upper-30s across Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Inland suburbs and the Nature Coast could flirt with the freezing mark again early Thursday, prompting the National Weather Service to urge residents to protect sensitive plants, pets and exposed pipes. Why so cold? Meteorologists say a reinforcing cold front slid through late Tuesday, ushering in Canadian air with dew points in the 20s—rarely felt this far south. The stiff northwest breeze will relax by sunset, but its earlier gusts will keep Bayshore runners bundled and create choppy seas for boaters through the evening. Warming trend on the way • Thursday: Sunny with highs in the mid-60s; lows around 40 °F. • Friday: Clouds increase, highs near 70 °F; a brief shower possible late. • Saturday: Secondary front drops highs to the mid-50s, breezy and sharply cooler again. • Sunday–Tuesday: Gradual rebound into the lower-60s, dry and breezy. (10-day outlook: AccuWeather) What Tampa residents should do now 1. Cover citrus and tropical plants or move containers inside before dusk. 2. Let faucets drip in older or poorly insulated homes north of Interstate 4. 3. Check space-heater cords and keep heaters three feet from anything flammable. 4. Layer up for Thursday morning commutes; bus stops could feel like the mid-30s with light wind. Cold-weather shelters Hillsborough and Pinellas counties will open emergency warming centers when temperatures are forecast to hit 40 °F or lower. Call 211 for the nearest location and transportation options. Looking ahead Long-range models hint at a stronger Gulf storm system late next week that could finally return Tampa’s rain deficit to normal and shove afternoon highs back into the low-70s. Until then, sunshine dominates but so does the sweater weather—so keep those hoodies handy a little longer.