TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — This year's Gasparilla Parade may be one of the coldest in recent memory.
Max Defender 8 meteorologist Rebecca Barry said the day will start in the mid-30s.
"Oh man, this is going to be one of the chillier Gasparillas that we've seen," Barry said. "Now the good news is, it's not going to be raining, and we're not going to have much cloud cover, and it's not going to be terribly windy."
She said people in the invasion flotilla will experience the coldest part of the day.
"The invasion flotilla on the water, in the morning, might probably be the most uncomfortable temperatures we see," Barry said. "The good news is, it's not too windy."
At the South Tampa Trading Company, where they sell merchandise for anyone participating in, or going to the parade, people were buying the warmest pirate themed clothes they could find. Sherri Wright who is a member of the Krewe of Conch Republic says they will have to dress a little differently this year.
Normally, they dress is a Key West and Jimmy Buffett style.
"When we're cold, we do wear under things, normally I wear shorts, because it's a tu-tu," Wright said. "So I've got long pants. I've got hand warmers."
Lisa Montero who is the Loyal Krewe of Grace O'Malley, was actually happy about the weather forecast.
"That's going to be great for us," Montero said. "The Krewe of Grace O' Malley, we wear Tudor style gowns that are floor length, and usually, we have heavier fabrics."
Tampa Fire Rescue said the weather will present unique challenges for them.
"It's going to be completely opposite of what we normally see, which is dehydration from the heat, but with the engagement in partying and enjoying the festivities, we get into alcohol and people think that makes them warm," said Captain Ryan Bradford with Tampa Fire Rescue. "That actually does not do that and probably will make that situation worse. So, we ask that people are responsible with what they are doing, make sure they are hydrating, even if they don't feel that heat."
