Good evening, Tampa Bay. We’re wrapping up the day for you with the most important stories you need to know and your weather outlook.

Your Weather Planner

We will start Saturday morning in the 50s with a few isolated showers, then temperatures drop through the day.

Winds could gust out of the northwest at over 40 mph at times during the afternoon and evening.

A few sprinkles are possible through Saturday evening. 

Very cold and dry air will come in late Saturday night.

It may get cold enough to support brief flurries after 10 p.m. near the coast, but we may not have enough moisture. 

For the Gasparilla parades, temperatures will be in the 40s, but it will feel like the 30s with the wind chill.

Lows on Sunday morning fall to the low 20s in areas well inland and north. Wind chills could fall to the low teens there.

It will not be quite as cold closer to the coast, but wind chills in the 20s are still likely.

High: 55

Low: 32

Rain Coverage: 30%  

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Chilly Gasparilla

This weekend will be even colder than we’ve already seen this week.

Another cold front is on the way Saturday morning. This one will be even stronger than the last.

Expect a batch of fast-passing showers Saturday morning, followed by windy, cold conditions Saturday afternoon into Sunday.

Wind gusts could top 30 mph by midday Saturday during the time of the Gasparilla Invasion. For the parades from 2 to 6 p.m., winds could gust over 40 mph.

Read more about this chilly weekend ahead.

Today’s Big Stories

1. 29th Annual Kumquat Festival in Dade City postponed to March
The festival has been rescheduled to March 8 “due to high winds and unsafe weather conditions” forecast for Saturday, officials with the Greater East Pasco Chamber of Commerce announced on Friday.

2. Catherine O’Hara, Emmy-winning actor who starred in ‘Schitt’s Creek’ and ‘Home Alone,’ dies at 71
Catherine O’Hara, Emmy-winning actor and comedian who starred in “Schitt’s Creek,” “SCTV” and “Home Alone,” has died at 71.

3. Justice Department says it’s releasing 3 million more pages as part of final Epstein files release
The Justice Department on Friday said it was releasing the final trove of files related to its investigation into convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, as required under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

4. Senate leaders scramble to save bipartisan deal and avoid partial shutdown
Senate leaders were scrambling on Friday to save a bipartisan spending deal and prevent a partial government shutdown this weekend as Democrats demanded new restrictions on federal immigration raids across the country.

5. Concerned Weeki Wachee River residents spearhead campaign for winter manatee sanctuary
Homeowners say there has been recent overcrowding on the river, especially near Hospital Hole, with too many paddleboards leaving no room for manatees to travel. The issue is spearheading a campaign to turn the area into a manatee sanctuary.

 

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Your Notes for Tonight and Tomorrow

PINELLAS MEDIEVAL FAIR | The fourth annual Pinellas Medieval Fair takes place tomorrow at DK Farms and Gardens in Largo. It will include pony rides, miniature golf, animal feeding, wine tasting and more. It’s from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $22.

BIG SHRED EVENT | Pasco County will host The Big Shred, a popular community document-shredding event, at the West Pasco Judicial Center in New Port Richey from 10:00 a.m. to noon. It will be held again next Saturday, at the same location and time. 

BOLTS UPDATE | The Tampa Bay Lightning, who lead the Eastern Conference with 72 points, continue their homestand with Sunday’s outdoor game against the Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium. The puck drops at 6:30 p.m. The Bolts are back at Benchmark International Arena on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. matchup against the Buffalo Sabres.

Robert Norris (front, center) has already signed his name in the Guinness World Records.

A young Polk County man is attempting an incredible feat.

Robert Norris has already signed his name in the Guinness World Records.

Now, he is aiming for history and to change minds about what people with disabilities can achieve.