A wide-angle street-level view of a modern mid-century building with distinctive white concrete arches and red brick infill panels. A sign in the foreground identifies the location as "the portico cafe," and a row of palm trees is planted along the sidewalk.
The Portico in Tampa, Florida. Credit: Screengrab / Google Maps

It’s going to be cold as a motherfucker Tuesday night across the Tampa Bay area, with the National Weather Service’s 5 a.m. report forecasting temperatures in the high-20s, with wind chills as low as 23°F in northern counties.

A freeze watch and cold weather advisory are in effect through Wednesday morning in those northern parts of the Bay area, which means folks should work to protect their plants, pets and pipes just in case.

People should also not sleep outside, including in cars, so Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties—where wind chills could reach as low as 36°F—have opened cold weather shelter for Tuesday, Dec. 30.

Due to high demand and limited capacity at shelters, county officials urge anyone who can find housing with family or friends to use that as a first option.

A weather alert graphic displaying three main points: the affected area (northern Tampa Bay counties), the temperature forecast (as low as 28 degrees), and a warning that freezing conditions could kill crops, sensitive vegetation, and damage outdoor plumbing.
The National Weather Service’s 5 a.m. report from Dec. 30, 2025. Credit: NWSTampaBay / X

Hillsborough County cold weather shelter information (Dec. 30, 2025)

Hillsborough County shelters are open to adults who are homeless and those whose dwellings do not have adequate heat.

A press release says Metropolitan Ministries is supplying a limited number of motel vouchers on a first-come, first-served basis for families with minor children. Pre-registration is required for motel vouchers by calling (813) 209-1176. Phone lines will be open Tuesday, Dec. 30, until 5 p.m. or until they run out of vouchers.

In Hillsborough County, these shelters will take in guests between 6 p.m.-8 p.m. or until they reach capacity.

  • Amazing Love Ministries 3304 E Columbus Dr., Tampa
  • Church of God of Prophecy Hyde Park 107 S Oregon Ave., Tampa
  • Greater New Hope Church Anointed Ministries 2104 Mud Lake Rd. Plant City 
  • The Portico 1001 N Florida Ave., Tampa
  • Hyde Park United Methodist Church 500 W Platt St., Tampa, 
  • Tampa Bay Mission of Hope 110 S Parsons Blvd., Brandon

Hillsborough County activates Cold Weather Shelters when the National Weather Service forecasts temperatures to dip to or below 40 degrees with wind chill for two consecutive hours between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., which is forecasted to occur Tuesday night in Hillsborough County.

Pinellas County cold weather shelter information (Dec. 30, 2025)

The Homeless Leadership Alliance—which seeks volunteers to help tonight and in the future—said that cold weather shelters will open in Pinellas from 6 p.m.-6 a.m. for adult men and women. 

Anyone needing a ride to the shelter can board that The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) for free bus service to and from cold night shelters from 5 p.m.-7 a.m. “Riders must tell PSTA drivers they are going to a Pinellas Cold Night Shelter when boarding to ride fare-free,” a press release said.

The release adds that, “Families with children will be placed in family shelters on cold nights (if space is available). Families should call 2-1-1, First Contact, for information about family shelters.”

  • Boys & Girls Club of Pinellas Park 7790 61st St. N, Pinellas Park
  • Boys and Girls Club of Tarpon Springs 111 W Lime St., Tarpon Springs
  • First United Methodist Church of Clearwater 411 Turner St., Clearwater
  • Salvation Army 1400 4th St. S, St. Petersburg
  • Unitarian Universalist Church 100 Mirror Lake Dr. N, St. Petersburg (requires the use of stairs)

Citrus County cold weather shelter information (Dec. 30, 2025)

Bay News 9 says this Citrus County shelter is open through Thursday night.

  • Nature Coast Church 5113 S Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa

Hernando County cold weather shelter information (Dec. 30, 2025)

BN9 says this Citrus County warming center is open through Wednesday night, although cots will not be provided.

  • Enrichment Center 800 John Gary Grubbs Blvd., Brooksville

Pasco County cold weather shelter information (Dec. 30, 2025)

BN9 says these shelters will be open in Pasco County between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, Dec. 30-31

  • First Nazarene Church of Zephyrhills 6151 12th St., Zephyrhills
  • Shady Hills Mission Chapel 15925 Greenglen Ln., Spring Hill

Polk County cold weather shelter information (Dec. 30, 2025)

  • Talbot House Ministries 814 N Kentucky Ave., Lakeland

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This article appears in Dec. 25 – 31, 2025.

Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief...