A strong cold front is slated to sweep through the state this weekend, dropping temperatures in the Tampa Bay area into the 30s by Monday morning.
There's the possibility that some spots north of Tampa will experience a freeze.
Florida Public Radio Emergency Network meteorologist Jeff Huffman said the front will not only bring a sudden drop in temperature, but that the winds will be notable as well.
“Well ahead of the front, a line of strong to severe storms could produce wind damage or even an isolated tornado in the panhandle on Saturday," he said. "But even further south, across the rest of the peninsula Saturday night and early Sunday - you'll know when this front arrives. There will be some brief rain squalls and wind gusts to 40 mph.”
Huffman said the arrival time of the squall line in our area will mostly be between 1 am and 5 am Sunday. Temperatures are expected to drop from a high of 77 Saturday to 60 Sunday.
Some Tampa Bay area counties will open shelters for people in need.
Pinellas County will open shelters for the homeless between 6 and 6:30 Sunday night (Peace Memorial will open at 5 p.m.):
Clearwater
Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church
110 S. Ft. Harrison Ave.
St. Petersburg
Northwest Presbyterian Church
6330 54th Ave. N.
The Turning Point
1810 5th Ave. N.
Salvation Army
1400 4th Street S.
My Place in Recovery
1655 16th St. S.
Pinellas Park
Boys and Girls Club of the Suncoast
7790 61st St. N.
Tarpon Springs
Boys and Girls Club of Tarpon Springs
111 W. Lime St.
Families will be placed in family shelters. They should call Tampa Bay Cares, Inc. at 211 for more information.
Hernando County is opening up two shelters in Brooksville through Jericho Road Ministries:
Men’s Shelter
1090 Mondon Hill Road
Brooksville, FL 34605
352-799-2912, ext.103
Women’s Shelter ‘Mary’s House’
1163 Howell Avenue
Brooksville, FL 34601
352-799-2912, ext.109
Pasco County is working with the United Way and faith-based organizations to open shelters. People looking for more information are asked to call 211.
WUSF News will update this post throughout the weekend with additional information.
