Cold weather shelters opening across Tampa Bay this week

Cold weather shelters are opening across Tampa Bay this week as temperatures dip Thursday night into Friday.

According to a release, shelters are activated when the National Weather Service expects the “feels like” temperature to hit 40 degrees or below for two consecutive hours between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

This is expected for much of the greater Tampa Bay region.

The National Weather Service’s forecast shows low 40s for the St. Petersburg area and Tampa on Friday morning — with a minimum wind chill in the 30s.

Hillsborough is taking in shelter guests on Thursday and Friday night from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. unless they reach capacity before then.

Shelters are reserved for adults. Metropolitan Ministries is giving a limited number of motel vouchers on a first-come, first-served basis for families with minors. Pre-registration is required. Call 813-209-1176. Phone lines will be open on Thursday until 5 p.m. or until they run out of vouchers.

So far, Pinellas shelters are only open on Thursday night.

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority is providing free bus rides to and from the shelters from 5 p.m. Thursday through 7 a.m. Friday. You must tell the driver you’re going to a cold night shelter while boarding to ride for free.

The Pinellas shelters are open to adult men and women. Families with kids are placed in family shelters on cold nights if space is available. Call 2-1-1, First Contact, for information.

Shelter list Hillsborough Hyde Park United Methodist Church – Harnish Center (Thursday only)
500 W. Platt St., Tampa, FL 33606Tampa Bay Mission of Hope
110 S. Parsons Blvd., Brandon, FL 33511Hyde Park United Methodist Church – Magnolia Building
414 S. Magnolia Ave., Tampa, FL 33606Church of God of Prophecy Hyde Park
107 S. Oregon Ave., Tampa, FL 33606Amazing Love Ministries
3304 E. Columbus Dr., Tampa, FL 33605Greater New Hope Church Anointed Ministries
2104 Mud Lake Rd. Plant City, FL 33566The Portico (Friday only)
1001 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, FL 33602Pinellas County

Tarpon Springs

Boys and Girls Club of Tarpon Springs
111 W Lime Street, Tarpon SpringsPSTA Route #19

Clearwater

First United Methodist Church of Clearwater
411 Turner Street, ClearwaterPSTA Route #52A

Pinellas Park

Boys & Girls Club of Pinellas Park
7790 61st St. N, Pinellas ParkPSTA Route #74First United Methodist Church of Pinellas Park
9025 49th St. N, Pinellas ParkPSTA Route #49

St. Petersburg

Unitarian Universalist Church (Location requires using stairs)
100 Mirror Lake Drive N, St. PetersburgPSTA Routes #9, #20, #24, SunRunnerSalvation Army
1400 4th Street South, St. PetersburgPSTA Route #4A or BAllendale Church
3803 Haines Rd. N, St. PetersburgPSTA Route #16, #38

This story will be updated as new information becomes available.