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

Temperatures will start in the mid to upper 20s on Wednesday morning for Citrus and Hernando counties. 

A freeze is possible anywhere north of Tampa and even areas farther south that are also well inland.

Coastal areas will start the day near 40. 

Highs will warm to the 50s to near 60 in the afternoon with plenty of sunshine.

Winds will be lighter compared to Tuesday. 

Lows on Wednesday night into Thursday morning will fall to the 40s for Tampa with 30s north. 

PM Highs: 55-61

AM Lows: 26-43

Rain Coverage: 0%

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

Today’s Big Stories

1. Cold weather shelters opening across Tampa Bay area
Wind chills are expected to drop into the 20s and 30s overnight, prompting local governments to activate cold weather shelters for people in need.

2. FWC: 52 black bears killed during December hunt
FWC said all harvested bears were physically checked by its staff and bear response contractors, providing data that will influence future management strategies.

3. Tourism boomed in Tampa in 2025, eyeing gains for 2026
After three decades, 2025 marked the strongest year yet for Visit Tampa Bay, ending the fiscal year on September 30 with more than $1.2 billion in taxable hotel revenue.

4. Trump administration rolls out rural health funding, with strings attached
Critics worry that the funding might be pulled back if a state’s policies don’t match up with the administration’s.

5. Court releases transcript from closed hearing for man accused of killing Charlie Kirk
A Utah judge on Monday ordered the release of a transcript from a closed-door hearing in October over whether the man charged with killing Charlie Kirk must be shackled during court proceedings.

6. A year after New Orleans attack, law enforcement officials across country say they’re ready for public New Year’s celebrations
With multiple cities planning fireworks, concerts or other public celebrations that may be seen as attractive targets for attacks, officials are encouraging attendees to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious.

7. Pro Football Hall of Fame unveils Class of 2026 finalists
The hall announced the finalists for the Modern-Era Players Category on Tuesday morning for the Class of 2026. Those selected will be enshrined in Canton, Ohio, in August.

 

Featured Social Post

Your Notes for Tonight and Tomorrow

BARTOW TRAFFIC NOTE | Beginning at 7 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, Minute Maid Ramp Road Two will close to through traffic at U.S. Highway 27 in Davenport for 39 days. Following the completion of the project, which includes a pipe crossing, roadway reconstruction and widening, Minute Maid Ramp Road Two is expected to reopen on Feb. 13. Traffic will detour using either Heller Brothers Boulevard or Minute Maid Ramp Road One to FDC Grove Road.

SARASOTA PINEAPPLE DROP | The annual Pineapple Drop takes place for New Year’s Day in downtown Sarasota at Lemon Avenue and Main Street, and a number of road closures have been announced. For more New Year’s events, click here.

TAMPA CHRISTMAS TREE DISPOSAL | The city will begin offering curbside Christmas Tree Collection Service at no additional charge on Friday. To take advantage of this service, residents must remove all decorations and lights, cut tree limbs to four-feet lengths, bundle, and place curbside on their regularly scheduled yard waste collection day. All discarded lights and/or decorations are not recyclable and must be placed in the garbage cart. For more information, call (813) 274-8811 or click here.   
 

National Notes

Wednesday, Dec 31

New Year’s Eve * New Year countdown and celebrations held across the world
New Year’s Eve celebrations in New York’s Times Square
‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2026′ on ABC 8 p.m.
90th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic: No. 10 Miami vs. No. 2 Ohio State – a college football playoff quarterfinal 7:30 p.m.
Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report – Initial Claims

We featured 51 A+ Teachers this year on Spectrum Bay News 9. As we end 2025, we asked some of them what they’re looking forward to most in the new year.