It’s not uncommon for the Tampa Bay area to get a few doses of frigid weather after the sweltering summer has passed and before the springtime temperatures start stretching for the 90s again.

What’s unusual about the cold blast you’re starting to feel today — and will definitely feel Tuesday morning — is how early it is this year.

Officially, it’s not even winter yet — that starts Dec. 21. But the low temperatures on Tuesday morning are likely to break all-time cold records for Nov. 11 — from lows below freezing in Brooksville to the lows 40s in water-hugging St. Petersburg.

Tampa Bay was responding Monday like it usually does before cold snaps that more commonly occur in December, January and February. For one, cold weather shelters in Tampa Bay were opening Monday night ahead of biting overnight temperatures. Officials also cautioned boaters to stay off the water and for drivers to be careful driving on bridges as winds whipped fiercely.

On the Howard Frankland, waves were crashing over the seawalls, spraying water much like before tropical weather.

The National Weather Service’s Tampa Bay office issued a cold weather advisory for most of the region as temperatures are expected to plummet overnight Monday into Tuesday morning.

The advisory goes into effect when temperatures fall below 35 degrees and winds whip up to 10 mph or higher.

This wind chill effect will make temperatures feel like 28 degrees in some inland parts of Tampa Bay, like northeast Hillsborough County and Plant City.

Freezing temperatures are expected in Hernando County and Brooksville. Coastal areas to the south, including Pinellas and Tampa’s waterfront, will experience actual temperatures in the upper 30s and blustery winds.

In Pinellas County, the Homeless Leadership Alliance said it would open shelters from 6 p.m. Monday until 6 a.m. Tuesday. Hillsborough County shelters will allow people into its shelters from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on both Monday and Tuesday, or until capacity is reached.

Shelters open when the National Weather Service expects feels-like temperatures will drop to 40 degrees or below in the overnight hours, Pinellas County officials wrote in a media release.

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority is providing free bus rides to and from the shelters from 5 p.m. Monday through 7 a.m. Wednesday. Riders must tell drivers they are going to a cold weather shelter to receive a free ride.

Hillsborough County said shelters are expecting a high demand and encouraged residents to use family and friends as a first option for a warm place to stay.

A small craft advisory also began at 1 a.m. Monday and will run until 4 p.m. Tuesday, when winds over parts of the Gulf of Mexico could reach nearly 35 mph and seas could reach up to 10 feet.

On Monday, waves were crashing over the Howard Frankland seawall, and spilling across the roadway, according to reporting from Fox 13. Spectrum Bay News 9 reported delays across the bridge.

The early November chill is expected to shatter daily low temperature records across the region set more than 100 years ago, said Stephen Shiveley, a meteorologist with the Ruskin office.

“For the winter months, temperatures like that aren’t unusual, but for this early in the season, these are record-breaking temperatures,” he said.

If the low falls to 39 as expected in Tampa Tuesday, it will be the coldest on record for that day in November since 1892, near when record-keeping began.

In St. Petersburg, an expected low of 42 Tuesday would supplant a previous record for that day of 44 degrees. If temperatures in Brooksville plummet to 30 degrees as expected, it would shatter the previous record for Tuesday by seven degrees.

“If you have those more sensitive plants, especially if you’re away from the water, I’d definitely cover those up,” Shiveley said.

Biting winds between 10 to 15 mph could make the feels-like temperature to hover around freezing for coastal areas and dip into the mid-20s farther inland.

“It’s definitely going to be a shock to everybody’s system,” Shiveley said.

High temperatures will thaw out quickly, he added. Highs will return to the 70s Wednesday and rise above 80 degrees by the weekend.

Shelters are for adults and will take in guests from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, or until capacity is reached.

Metropolitan Ministries has a limited amount of two-night motel vouchers on a first-come, first-served basis for families with children.

Pre-registration is mandatory for motel vouchers. Call (813) 209-1176 for a voucher. Phone lines will be open Monday until 5 p.m. or until they run out of vouchers.

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

Hyde Park United Methodist Church, 500 W. Platt St., Tampa

Tampa Bay Mission of Hope, 110 Parsons Blvd., Brandon

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

Greater New Hope Church Anointed Ministries, 2104 Mud Lake Rod, Plant City

The Portico, 1001 N. Florida Ave., Tampa

The following shelters are available to adults and will be open from 6 p.m. Monday until 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Families seeking a shelter should call 2-1-1 for information about family shelters.

Boys and Girls Club of Tarpon Springs, 111 W. Lime St., Tarpon Springs. PSTA Route #19

First United Methodist Church of Clearwater, 411 Turner St., Clearwater. PSTA Route #52A

First United Methodist Church, 9025 49 St. N., Pinellas Park. PSTA Route #49

Unitarian Universalist Church, 100 Mirror Lake Drive N, St. Petersburg. This location requires the use of stairs. PSTA Routes #9, #20, #24, SunRunner

Salvation Army, 1400 4 St. S, St. Petersburg. PSTA Route #4A or B

• • •

The Tampa Bay Times launched the Environment Hub in 2025 to focus on some of Florida‘s most urgent and enduring challenges. You can contribute through our journalism fund by clicking here.