The Portico in Tampa, Florida. Credit: Screengrab / Google Maps.
Temperatures are expected to dip into the high-20s in the Bay area.
by Ray Roa December 30, 2025
It’s going to be cold as a motherf*cker Tuesday night across the Tampa Bay area, with the National Weather Service’s 5 a.m. report forecasting temperatures in the high-20s, with wind chills as low as 23°F in northern counties.
A freeze watch and cold weather advisory are in effect through Wednesday morning in those northern parts of the Bay area, which means folks should work to protect their plants, pets and pipes just in case.
People should also not sleep outside, including in cars, so Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties—where wind chills could reach as low as 36°F—have opened cold weather shelter for Tuesday, Dec. 30.
Due to high demand and limited capacity at shelters, county officials urge anyone who can find housing with family or friends to use that as a first option.
The National Weather Service’s 5 a.m. report from Dec. 30, 2025.Credit: NWSTampaBay / X
Hillsborough County cold weather shelter information (Dec. 30, 2025)
Hillsborough County shelters are open to adults who are homeless and those whose dwellings do not have adequate heat.
A press release says 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.
In Hillsborough County, these shelters will take in guests between 6 p.m.-8 p.m. or until they reach capacity.
Amazing Love Ministries 3304 E Columbus Dr., Tampa
Church of God of Prophecy Hyde Park 107 S Oregon Ave., Tampa
Greater New Hope Church Anointed Ministries 2104 Mud Lake Rd. Plant City
The Portico 1001 N Florida Ave., Tampa
Hyde Park United Methodist Church 500 W Platt St., Tampa,
Tampa Bay Mission of Hope 110 S Parsons Blvd., Brandon
Hillsborough County activates Cold Weather Shelters when the National Weather Service forecasts temperatures to dip to or below 40 degrees with wind chill for two consecutive hours between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., which is forecasted to occur Tuesday night in Hillsborough County.
Pinellas County cold weather shelter information (Dec. 30, 2025)
The Homeless Leadership Alliance—which seeks volunteers to help tonight and in the future—said that cold weather shelters will open in Pinellas from 6 p.m.-6 a.m. for adult men and women.
Anyone needing a ride to the shelter can board that The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) for free bus service to and from cold night shelters from 5 p.m.-7 a.m. “Riders must tell PSTA drivers they are going to a Pinellas Cold Night Shelter when boarding to ride fare-free,” a press release said.
The release adds that, “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.”
Boys & Girls Club of Pinellas Park 7790 61st St. N, Pinellas Park
Boys and Girls Club of Tarpon Springs 111 W Lime St., Tarpon Springs
First United Methodist Church of Clearwater 411 Turner St., Clearwater
Salvation Army 1400 4th St. S, St. Petersburg
Unitarian Universalist Church 100 Mirror Lake Dr. N, St. Petersburg (requires the use of stairs)
Citrus County cold weather shelter information (Dec. 30, 2025)
Bay News 9 says this Citrus County shelter is open through Thursday night.
Nature Coast Church 5113 S Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa
Hernando County cold weather shelter information (Dec. 30, 2025)
BN9 says this Citrus County warming center is open through Wednesday night, although cots will not be provided.
Enrichment Center 800 John Gary Grubbs Blvd., Brooksville
Pasco County cold weather shelter information (Dec. 30, 2025)
BN9 says these shelters will be open in Pasco County between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, Dec. 30-31
First Nazarene Church of Zephyrhills 6151 12th St., Zephyrhills
Shady Hills Mission Chapel 15925 Greenglen Ln., Spring Hill
Polk County cold weather shelter information (Dec. 30, 2025)
Talbot House Ministries 814 N Kentucky Ave., Lakeland