There were also reports of snow flurries in Gainesville as much of Central Florida is under an extreme cold weather warning. The snow flurries also made an appearance in the Jacksonville area. A light amount of snow was reported at Jacksonville International Airport.

Tampa Bay 28 Meteorologist Shay Ryan gives the latest weather forecast ahead of a cold and rainy weekend across Tampa Bay area.

In some areas, particularly north of Tampa Bay, forecasters expect dangerously cold wind chills in the single digits. At those temperatures, exposed skin could develop frostbite within 30 minutes. Temperatures as low as 20 degrees will likely lead to a hard freeze, forecasters said.

Despite the forecast wind and cold temps, Tampa’s pirate krewes are excited to keep the Gasparilla tradition alive.

Live coverage of the Parade of Pirates will begin at 2:30 p.m. and can be viewed here or on our WFLA Now TV streaming app.

Gasparilla Invasion will proceed Saturday under a contingency plan, with the Jose Gasparilla II sailing to the Tampa Convention Center instead of its usual route.

With tens of thousands of revelers expected to flood Bayshore Boulevard on Saturday, Gasparilla weekend is lining up to feel more like winter than a typical Tampa pirate invasion.

There's a chance for some Tampa Bay residents to spot snow flurries dancing through the skies this weekend as frigid temperatures move into the region.

These counties across Tampa Bay are opening free cold shelters for anyone in need of a warm place to stay.