According to the the National Weather Service, a line of showers is expected to come through Tampa Bay Friday morning, with temps steadily dropping throughout the day and into the weekend. In other words, it's going to be a cold Christmas, with highs in the upper-40s for most of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
A hard freeze watch will be in effect for Hernando, Pasco and Citrus counties from Friday through Saturday morning, says the NWS. These areas could possibly see below freezing temps, with lows in the mid-twenties.
A freeze watch is also in place for Hillsborough, Polk, Highlands, Hardee and inland Manatee counties, starting Friday night, where temps should drop to the low-30s.
Residents in these counties should most definitely bring plants, pets and any other living thing you love indoors.We continue to monitor the forecast for the upcoming #HolidayWeekend & things are looking a bit too cold for Floridians...overnight lows from the 20s-40s across the state & highs in the 40s-50s! 🥶
— NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) December 21, 2022
Please keep these facts about wind chill in mind as you make plans! 🧥#FLwx pic.twitter.com/WE6Bpe0A2G
Pinellas County is not under a freeze watch.
Florida's relatively cold temps come as a large part of the United States, especially the Midwest, experience a dangerous cold front this week, which is expected to bring below freezing temps and impact holiday travel.
