12.03.2025

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74º | 10% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 7:05 a.m. | Sunset 5:33 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 3:13 p.m. | Low: 7:45 a.m. + 6:10 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 11:14 a.m. + 9:23 p.m. | Low: 3:35 p.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

It’s the most beautiful time of the year

We’re ready for slightly less sweaty strolls along the Riverwalk. | Photo by @piratetikis/@mary_hot_damn

Now that we’ve finally kicked another hurricane season to the curb, what’s in store for winter?

Thanks to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center, we know what temperatures and precipitation trends to expect in our area for December, January, and February. While exact weather conditions typically can’t be predicted more than a week in advance, here’s a seasonal outlook to help you prepare for winter.

Reminder: The official first day of winter is on Saturday, Dec. 21.

Temperature

Think warmer than we’re used to. This winter, Tampa Bay has a 50-60% chance of temperatures being higher than normal.

Screenshot 2025-12-02 at 12.56.47 PM.png — The temps are likely to linger slightly higher than normal in TBAY this season.

Precipitation

Our area is predicted to experience below average precipitation this season.

Drought

We’re keeping close watch on the drought across the state. Earlier this week, TBAY officials rolled out new water use guidelines due to an abnormally dry year — we’re facing a 13-inch rain deficit this year, according to the Southwest Florida Water Management. You can keep an eye on drought conditions via NOAA, too.

City Guides are presented by Water Street Tampa.

Peak at the December temps

Events

Wednesday, Dec. 3

Florida Conversations: A Motion Picture Paradise | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Tampa Bay History Center | Free

French Bistro Wine Tasting | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Côté France French Café, Tampa | $47+

Thursday, Dec. 4

Friday, Dec. 5

First Fridays: Art, Market, and More | 10-11 a.m. | Harvest Hope Park | Free entry

Charlie Berens: “The Lost and Found Tour” | 7 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | $46+

Saturday, Dec. 6

More winter joy

Feature your event here, or make a bigger splash

News Notes

Weather

Please join me in a group exhale now that we’ve closed out the 2025 hurricane season. Okay, now let’s dive into why this past season was less eventful than usual. A University of Miami hurricane researcher explains why. (WUSF News)

Number

$759 million. That’s how much is needed to fix up Florida’s 175 state parks. What’s on the to-do list? Parks need accessibility and wastewater system upgrades, repairs to facilities like visitor centers and restrooms, and repaved roads, according to a new state report. (Tampa Bay Times)

Festival

We’ve got more than just boat parades to look forward to this holiday season. Tampa’s first-ever Holiday RiverFest features
performances by Ernest, Uncle Kracker, and Shaylen, a wiener dog race, and a 21-and-older ugly sweater contest. Get tickets to the Saturday, Dec. 20 celebration at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. (That’s So Tampa)

Seasonal

A Q&A, a fireside chat, standup, and a “Home Alone” screening. That’s what you can expect at “A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin” tomorrow, Dec. 4 at the Straz. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Show

Don’t be like Scrooge. Consider donating — if you’re so inclined — to the historic St. Petersburg City Theatre’s $100 for 100 Years campaign. Contributions go toward theater improvements, future shows, and youth programs. Like this season’s run of “A Christmas Carol,” which starts on Friday, Dec. 12. (I Love the Burg)

Ranked

Tampa is the third best city in the country for singles, not according to TBAYtoday. WalletHub ranked the Cigar City highly for its economy, dating opportunities, and fun + recreation opportunities. (That’s So Tampa)

Sports

Budget constraints are pushing the Rays to consider familiar faces for their 2026 rotation. Could Zach Eflin or Adrian Houser reenter the fold? Get your Tampa Bay Rays fix with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Health

Meet Horizon IX, an innovative hearing aid that a leading audiologist calls “nothing short of a miracle.” With dual processors for sharper speech and less noise, it offers a nearly invisible design for all-day comfort. Try it at no risk for 45 days and experience effortless hearing for the holidays.*

Eat

Sleigh your holiday plans with reservations at The Terrace Grille this season. Save your seat for Brunch with Santa, an elegant Christmas Eve meal, or a late-night party on New Year’s Eve.*

Stat

26%. That’s how much you can save on all Newsletter Text Ads and Email Banner Ads when you use code COUNTDOWNTO2026 on our business promo portal. No long-term contract required + your promo can be here in as little as two days. Get started.

Health

This FDA-registered vibrator is recommended by doctors because it boosts arousal and supports natural lubrication, thanks to its bendable shape designed to stimulate all the right spots. Even better? Save 35% + an extra 15% with code H4PPY15.*

Theater

Things are filling up

Screen Shot 2023-07-19 at 12.48.07 PM.png

Take us back to Iliza Shlesinger’s comedy at the Straz. | Photo via @k_kristen_m

Skip the domestic travel, we’ve got Broadway — and tons more shows — right here along the Riverwalk.

Here’s a look at the musicals, comedies, orchestra performances, and other key events coming to the Straz Center over the next several months:

Shows

Not theater

Post of the Day

Screenshot 2025-12-02 at 2.49.56 PM.png — Sure, we’ll sweat for free Daily Eats.

Free Daily Eats brunch, giveaways, and a Bayshore power walk with new friends? It’s almost better than a Bucs game.

Meet at 10 a.m. this Saturday, Dec. 6 at Hyde House to Public Studio for the latest Bayshore Breakfast Club walk.

Want to be featured?

The Buy

Three viral products that are actually worth paying attention to:

☕ A JavaSok — aka an insulated neoprene sleeve for your favorite iced drinks. The widely popular product is an Amazon bestseller + one of the top gifts of the season. Bonus: Discover Soks for cans, water bottles, ice cream pints, and more.
🥘 The StoveShelf — as seen in Business Insider and Food & Wine. It’s a high-quality magnetic attachment for your stovetop that stores frequently used items like spices, condiments, and cooking oils.
🐻 Something that’s on every teenager’s holiday wishlist: the viral Starbucks Bearista bear cup. If you couldn’t get your hands on the original (they sold out within minutes), we found the perfect look-alike on Amazon.

Plus, shop internet famous apparel

The Wrap

Paddle down Florida’s Peace River — and wade though Florida’s history — with one of TBAY’s veteran reporters. I highly recommend listening to the WUSF piece, which Steve Newborn reported from his kayak.

Thanks for the lovely history lesson, Steve. It’s an Old Florida dream.

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