TAMPA, Fla. — Residents waking up across the Tampa Bay area are feeling a noticeable chill in the air, and forecasters say temperatures will remain cold throughout the day.

Wind chills are expected to drop into the 20s and 30s overnight, prompting local governments to activate cold weather shelters for people in need.

Several counties are moving quickly to prepare as the cold snap settles in.

Pinellas County and Hernando County plan to open their cold weather shelters tonight.

Colder air comes in overnight and into tomorrow morning. Tuesday’s morning lows will be in the mid 30s north with mid 40s near Tampa. The cold peaks on Wednesday morning with lows in the 30s in many spots, except at the coast. Inland Citrus and Hernando counties may see 20s. pic.twitter.com/SzT6gH5mXG

— Spectrum Bay News 9 (@BN9) December 29, 2025

Pasco County shelters will be open both tonight and on New Year’s Eve. Hillsborough County is also expected to activate its shelters this afternoon, which typically occurs when temperatures are forecast to fall below 40 degrees.

Citrus County has already opened its shelters, activating them overnight. Officials say shelters there will remain open through at least Thursday, as temperatures are expected to dip close to freezing tonight and again on Wednesday.

Kristy Jocelyn, executive director of Basic United, which operates the cold weather shelter in Citrus County, said staffing has been a challenge due to the New Year’s holiday and the extended cold stretch.

“I’ve just kind of been dealing with one night at a time,” Jocelyn said. “We still need overnight volunteers for the rest of the week. If we don’t have them, we technically can’t open. We’ve got tonight covered with some last-minute people coming in, and hopefully they’ll be able to return another night this week.”

Emergency planners are also preparing for increased demand. Once Hillsborough County officially activates its shelters, Metropolitan Ministries will provide a limited number of hotel vouchers if shelter space fills up in the Tampa area. Those vouchers will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information on cold weather shelters in your area, visit these websites based on where you live:

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY 

Hillsborough County is partnering with the following organizations to provide limited-capacity cold weather shelters for adults. All shelters will take in guests from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 30, unless they reach capacity prior to that time.

Hyde Park United Methodist Church (preferred media location)
500 W. Platt St., Tampa, FL 33606

Tampa Bay Mission of Hope
110 S. Parsons Blvd., Brandon, FL 33511

The Portico
1001 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, FL 33602

Church of God of Prophecy Hyde Park
107 S. Oregon Ave., Tampa, FL 33606

Amazing Love Ministries
3304 E. Columbus Dr., Tampa, FL 33605

Greater New Hope Church Anointed Ministries
2104 Mud Lake Rd. Plant City, FL 33566

All congregate shelters are reserved for adults only. Metropolitan Ministries is supplying a limited number of motel vouchers on a first-come, first-served basis for families with minor children. Pre-registration is required for motel vouchers by calling (813) 209-1176. Phone lines will be open Tuesday, Dec. 30, until 5 p.m. or until they run out of vouchers.

PINELLAS COUNTY

Cold night shelters in Pinellas County will be open Tuesday night, Dec. 30, the Homeless Leadership Alliance has announced. The shelters will be open from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Shelter guests are accepted until the shelter is full. All sites provide a warm and safe place to sleep, and many sites also serve a meal. Shelters are activated when the National Weather Service expects the “feels like” temperature to hit 40 degrees or below across the county between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Tarpon Springs

Boys and Girls Club of Tarpon Springs
Address: 111 W Lime Street, Tarpon Springs

Clearwater

First United Methodist Church of Clearwater
Address: 411 Turner Street, Clearwater

Pinellas Park

Boys & Girls Club of Pinellas Park
7790 61st St. N, Pinellas Park

St. Petersburg

Unitarian Universalist Church
100 Mirror Lake Drive N, St. Petersburg

Note: This location requires the use of stairs.

PSTA Routes #9, #20, #24, SunRunner

Salvation Army
Address: 1400 4th Street South, St. Petersburg

Families with children will be placed in family shelters on cold nights (if space is available). Families should call 2-1-1, First Contact, for information about family shelters.

The Homeless Leadership Alliance is in need of volunteers for this and future activations. Those interested in volunteering should visit pinellashomeless.org/become-a-volunteer to learn more.

PASCO COUNTY 

As extremely cold air remains in our area, Pasco County is opening a Cold Weather Shelter on both sides of the county Tuesday, December 30 and Wednesday, December 31.

Anyone in need of a warm place to spend the night can head to either shelter.  The shelters will open at 6 p.m. each day and close at 10 a.m. the following day.

Pasco County Cold Weather Shelters:

WHEN:

Tuesday, December 30 & Wednesday, December 31 6 p.m. – 10 a.m. each day 

WHERE:

The extreme cold expected could be dangerous to anyone who will be outside for long periods of time.  Children, the elderly and pets are especially vulnerable to the cold, and extra care should be taken to protect them.

CITRUS COUNTY 

The Citrus County Cold Weather Shelter will be open Monday to Thursday nights due to freezing temperatures, and it urgently needs volunteers and donations.

Anyone needing warmth is welcome, and free transportation is available through Citrus County Transit.

The address is Nature Coast Church, 5113 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa.

Donations can be brought to Nature Coast Church starting Monday at 5 p.m.

HERNANDO COUNTY 

In response to forecasted low temperatures, Hernando County Emergency Management, in partnership with the City of Brooksville, is opening a Warming Center to provide warmth and comfort to those in need.

The Warming Center will be located at the Enrichment Center, located at 800 John Gary Grubbs Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34601, and will open Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 8:00PM through 8:00AM Wednesday, December 31, 2025. The center will remain open through the night to ensure that community members have a safe place to stay warm.

Important Information:

·         The Warming Center will not include meals or cots.

·         Pets are not allowed in the Warming Center.

Steps to Prepare for Cold Weather:

·         Residents should stay indoors, bring pets inside and cover or move plants that are sensitive to cold indoors. Do not leave pets outside in the cold weather.

·         Consider running pool pumps overnight during freezing temperatures to prevent damage.

·         Residents are encouraged to monitor to local media outlets or the National Weather Service at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tbw/ for current weather information. The Emergency Operations Center is not activated at this time.

R   Recommended Actions:

·         Take this opportunity to refresh your emergency supply kit. For more information, visit http://www.HernandoCounty.us/EM

·         Register for automated severe weather notifications at www.AlertHernando.org

POLK COUNTY

Talbot House Ministries is offering emergency service shelter located at 814 North Kentucky Ave, 33801.

Guests are welcome during the holiday season from 4 p.m. until 5 p.m., with beds running on a first come first serve basis until 6 a.m. the following day.

Meals and a shower will also be provided.