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

A freeze warning is in place for most of the area into Tuesday morning. The exception will be along the coast from Pasco County southward.

We will begin the day with temps in the 20s and 30s with wind chill values in the 20s in most areas.

Sunshine will rule the day with highs struggling to reach 60.

 

High: 59

Low: 40

Rain Coverage: 0%

Check your hour-by-hour forecast here | Share your weather photos

Today’s Big Stories

1. Cold weather shelters to open across Tampa Bay
A cold front on the way could bring overnight temperatures to the 30s during the early part of the week. Counties are once again preparing to open up cold weather shelters for people in need of a warm place to sleep.

2. Blizzard warnings and travel shutdowns trap millions at home in Northeast
A massive snowstorm pummeled the northeast United States today, trapping millions of people in their homes amid strong wind and blizzard warnings, transportation shutdowns, and school and business closures.

3. Federal funding still available for hurricane recovery in Pinellas County
Pinellas County officials say there is still hurricane recovery funding available from the $813 million it received through a community block grant last fall.

4. Businesses in Plant City helps uplift other businesses as Florida Strawberry Festival kicks off
Strawberry season is a big deal in Plant City, which is known as the winter strawberry capital of the world. With the season comes the Florida Strawberry Festival, drawing in thousands of visitors, many of whom turn into repeat customers for local businesses.

5. Moffitt starts young adult colorectal cancer survivors study
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa are working to educate and encourage earlier screening.

 

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Your Notes for Tonight and Tomorrow

RAYS SPRING TRAINING UPDATE | The Tampa Bay Rays, who lost 2-1 today to the Boston Red Sox, have another home spring training game tomorrow against the Minnesota Twins in Port Charlotte. First pitch is at 1:05 p.m. The team visits the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota on Wednesday at 1:05 p.m.

TRAFFIC NOTES | The I-4 westbound ramp to I-75 south is closing each night this week through Thursday, from 10 p.m. tl 5:30 a.m. Drivers will be detored to Exit 7 on U.S. 301 to get onto I-75. This is for ongoing concrete repairs on I-75. Expect traffic delays in St. Pete this week near Tyrone Square Mall. Traffic will be down to one lane in each direction between 73rd and 68th street at all hours.

National Notes

Tuesday, Feb. 24

U.S. Supreme Court may announce opinions
4th anniversary of Russia launching full-scale invasion of Ukraine
President Donald Trump delivers 2026 State of the Union address to a Joint Session of Congress, as invited by House Speaker Mike Johnson * Various bicameral Democrats are boycotting the address, with many attending counter-events in Washington, DC.
‘State of the Swamp’ counter-event to President Trump’s State of the Union address, with bicameral Dems attending
U.S. Supreme Court considers bid to remove Enbridge pipeline case to federal court
Memoir by California Governor Gavin Newsom published
Russell Brand enters plea in UK court charged with rape

Everyday Hero Del Couch started the nonprofit Del Couch Music Education Foundation to help young people break into the music industry. (Spectrum News)

Through his Del Couch Music Education Foundation, a Manatee County man is helping young people pursue their goal of being musicians, singers or even recording studio engineers.