TAMPA – Tampa Bay broke a 133-year-old low temperature record Tuesday morning.
In 1892, 40 degrees was the lowest temperature ever recorded.
Tuesday morning we broke this record, with a temperature of 39 degrees.
Freeze warning issued
The National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for northern counties, urging residents to take precautions as the first major cold snap of the season approaches.
Local veterinarians are reminding residents that if you’re cold, your pets are cold too.
Pets and outdoor animals should be brought indoors, and pet owners are encouraged to shorten walks and closely monitor time spent outdoors.
Regan Blessinger, marketing and public relations manager for the Humane Society, recommends providing a sheltered space for outdoor or feral cats, such as a garage or box that blocks the wind. She says blankets can retain moisture, so a dry, enclosed place is best.
What they say:
“The cold affects them just as it would affect us – and sometimes even more. Pets can lose body heat quickly, so it’s important to consider the amount of time they spend outside,” said Dr. Jenese Williams of Kingdom Pet Hospital.
Experts warn that hypothermia can become a real concern for animals exposed to low temperatures for too long.
Many plants that thrive in Central Florida, including peppers, tomatoes, squash, beans, cucumbers and watermelon, are not designed to handle frost or freezing conditions. Gardening experts recommend covering sensitive plants with a light shade or tarp to trap heat rising from the ground.
David Whitwam of Good Day Garden, at Whitwam Organics, explains: “These are all plants that cannot tolerate frost or frost. A simple fabric covering can make a big difference overnight.”
The cold weather came as a surprise to many visitors spending their fall vacations in Florida. November is typically a popular time for northern families to enjoy the mild, dry weather and long days in Orlando’s parks. But Monday’s cool and windy conditions changed those plans for some.
Tourist Sarah Lempke said the weather had been a shock.
“Two days ago? Beautiful. Yesterday? It was raining. Today? Bring me a parka.” But, Lempke added, she’s glad she escaped Chicago. “I’m grateful I don’t wear snow boots and I always wear flats. I’m not looking forward to going home there,” she said.
Robert Merrill, who is visiting Orlando from New Hampshire, said the cold weather prompted him to make a last-minute detour to buy warmer clothes.
“We were in shorts and tank tops. We had to stop at Walmart on the way to buy sweatshirts. It’s really cold,” Merrill said.
Radiator Safety Recalls
As the heaters move out of storage, firefighters remind residents to use them safely. Always place heaters on a flat, non-flammable surface at least three feet away from furniture, curtains and bedding.
- Plug them directly into a wall outlet, never into an extension cord or power strip.
- Turn them off before going to bed or leaving the room.
Exposed pipes and water heaters
“We call it ‘water heater season’ because the cold water coming into the hot tanks shocks the system. So it’s our busiest time of the year,” John Monks, owner of JJM Plumbing, told FOX 13. “Probably from mid-November until maybe the end of February, beginning of March, we’re just bombarded with water heaters.”
Routine water heater maintenance includes removing sediment from the tank annually, Monks recommends.
Homeowners should also keep an eye on their above-ground plumbing systems.
“The best thing to do is insulate. You can buy pipe insulation at places like Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware. Get insulation for any exposed pipes that are outside,” Monks said.
Opening of cold weather shelters
At Hyde Park United Methodist Church, one of Hillsborough County’s largest and oldest cold-weather shelters, people began lining up as early as 3 p.m. Doors opened at 6 p.m.
The church can accommodate up to 80 people, transforming its worship space into rows of mats and temporary sleeping areas. It serves as a shelter reserved for individuals and opens whenever temperatures drop below 40 degrees.
Volunteers say guests actively participate in setup and cleanup, creating a collaborative environment.
“We provide a safe place to have a good rest, where people don’t have to worry about someone stealing their stuff or fear for their personal safety,” said volunteer Vicki Walker.
County officials estimate about 800 people in Hillsborough were homeless Monday evening. Felicia Crosby-Rucker, director of Hillsborough County Homeless and Community Services, says the rising cost of living continues to drive the need for emergency shelter.
“We see a lot of people struggling economically and not earning enough to make a living,” she said.
Throughout Hillsborough, shelters offer warm spaces with one meal for 300 individuals and 100 families. Metro Departments’ family rooms are already full, and the county is exploring the possibility of expanding hotel rooms for families with young children.
No identification is required to enter a cold weather shelter in the county. Officials say shelters will reopen Tuesday evening as the cold snap continues.
Here is a list of cold weather shelters in the Bay Area:
Pinellas County Shelters (6:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.):
- Tarpon Sources: Boys & Girls Club of Suncoast — 111 W. Lime St. (PSTA Route 19)
- Clear Water: First United Methodist Church — 411 Turner Street (PSTA Route 52A)
- Pinellas Park: First United Methodist Church — 9025 49th St N. (PSTA Route 49)
- Saint Petersburg: Unitarian Universalist Church — 100 Mirror Lake Dr. N. (PSTA Routes 9, 20, 24, SunRunner)
Hillsborough County Shelters welcome guests from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the following locations in Tampa, Brandon and Plant City.
- Hyde Park Church of God of Prophecy — 107 S. Oregon Ave. in Tampa
- Hyde Park United Methodist Church — 500 W Platt St. in Tampa
- Amazing Love Ministries — 3304 E Columbus Dr. in Tampa
- The Portico — 1001 N Florida Ave. in Tampa
- Tampa Bay Mission of Hope — 110 Parsons Boulevard. in Brandon
- Anointed Ministries of Greater New Hope Church — 2104 Mud Lake Road. at the Plant City.
Citrus County: Nature Coast Church — 5113 S Suncoast Blvd, Homosassa (352-234-3099)
Polk County: Talbot House Ministries — 814 Kentucky Ave, Lakeland (863-687-8475)
Pasco County: Shady Hills Missionary Chapel — 15925 Greenglen Lane, Spring Hill (727-856-2948) — Opens at 6 p.m. and closes at 10 a.m.
Impact on attractions:
The cold snap has caused some water parks in Central Florida to temporarily close. Universal’s Volcano Bay and SeaWorld’s Aquatica closed Monday, while Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon remained open but announced it would close Tuesday due to continued low temperatures.
Here in Tampa, Busch Gardens is preparing to open Christmas Town this weekend. Although the weather is expected to warm slightly, the fresh air should add to the park’s holiday atmosphere.
The source : Information for this story comes from FOX 13 meteorologist Dave Osterber, the National Weather Service, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, Hillsborough County Homeless & Community Services, local county emergency management offices, Fox 35 Orlando and additional information from a veterinarian.
