Residents in the Tampa Bay area should prepare for a brisk couple of days, as the National Weather Service in Tampa Bay has issued an advisory for cold weather conditions. According to the National Weather Service update, the advisory is set to remain in effect from 1 AM to 9 AM EST Friday, with the possibility of "very cold wind chills as low as 27 expected." Those in Coastal Charlotte, Coastal Lee, Inland Lee, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee, Inland Sarasota, and Pinellas Counties will be most affected by the chilly winds.
The NWS warns that wind chills could cause hypothermia and advises wearing warm clothing, including a hat and gloves, when outdoors. Such cold is uncommon for the region, so residents should take extra precautions, especially in the early morning.
Along with the cold, beaches face another hazard: rip currents. A high rip current risk remains in effect through Friday afternoon for Pinellas and several nearby coastal counties. Officials warn the currents can sweep even strong swimmers into deeper water.
The NWS recommends swimming near lifeguards and advises anyone caught in a rip current to relax, float, avoid swimming against it, and move parallel to shore if possible. Those who cannot escape should face the shore and signal for help. With cold weather and dangerous surf, officials urge extra caution in the Tampa Bay area.
