Allendale United Methodist Church opens as a cold shelter in St. Petersburg starting 5 p.m. Thursday-7 a.m. Friday. Credit: Courtesy of Andy Oliver

It sounds like wolves are taking over Florida, but the howling winds come with a cold front that’s just moved into Tampa Bay.

The National Weather Service has issued a cold weather advisory for west central and southwest Florida, and a freeze warning will also be in effect from 1 a.m.-9 a.m. Friday. 

With lows between 28°F and 32°F and wind chills between 22°F and 35°F, the state is soon to experience its coldest air this winter. So, shelters are opening up across Hillsborough and Pinellas County to provide refuge for folks across the Bay area between Thursday and Friday.

It’s the second time local cold shelters have opened in a little over two weeks.

Shelters take adults only and have limited capacity to accommodate residents, so those who need shelter and sufficient heating are encouraged to access all possible resources before attending the listed shelters. 

Metropolitan Ministries is offering motel vouchers in limited supply for families with children. Vouchers are first-come, first-served with required pre-registration by calling (813) 209-1176 until 5 p.m. or until all vouchers have been taken. 

Cold weather shelters in Hillsborough County 

Hillsborough shelters open at the following venues from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15, and Friday, Jan. 16. 

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

Hyde Park United Methodist Church (Magnolia Location): 414 S. Magnolia Ave., Tampa

Hyde Park United Methodist Church (Harnish Center Location–open Thursday only): 500 W Platt St., Tampa

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

The Portico (open Friday only): 1001 N. Florida Ave., Tampa

Cold weather shelters in Pinellas County

Pinellas shelters are open from 5 p.m. Thursday through 7 a.m. Friday. The Pinellas County Suncoast Transit Authority provides free bus rides to shelters in this timeframe. Those riding should inform the driver they’re headed for the shelter. 

Allendale United Methodist Church: 3803 Haines Rd. N, St. Petersburg

Boys & Girls Club of Pinellas Park: 7790 61st St. N, Pinellas Park

First United Methodist Church of Clearwater: 411 Turner St., Clearwater

First United Methodist Church of Pinellas Park: 9025 49th St. N, Pinellas Park

Salvation Army: 1400 4th St. S, St. Petersburg

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This article appears in Jan. 15 – 21, 2026.