The last few cold fronts have led to cool mornings around Tampa Bay. Some would argue that it puts you in the holiday spirit!

We usually spend Thanksgiving Day in Tampa Bay with highs in the 70s, but some years are colder. 

What You Need To Know

  • Tampa's record low in November is 23 degrees

  • The temperature reached 23 degrees on Nov. 25, 1970, the day before Thanksgiving

  • Tampa's coldest Thanksgiving reached a high of 57 degrees in 1984

  • Tampa's warmest Thanksgiving recorded a high of 84 in 1958 and 2010

The date for Thanksgiving varies with the calendar from year to year. This year, Thanksgiving falls on Nov. 25. This date is important in Tampa's weather history because this is the date Tampa recorded its all-time lowest November temperature. 

The temperature plummeted to 23 degrees on Nov. 25, 1970, the morning before Thanksgiving Day, when a damaging freeze struck the area. This date still holds the record for Tampa's coldest November temperature. 

November is an interesting month from a meteorological perspective. It's the time of year when cold fronts arrive regularly, knocking temperatures down one front at a time.

Most cold fronts do not deliver huge freezes to Tampa Bay because the warm Gulf waters dilute the severity of most cold air outbreaks. 

However, when a true due north wind develops over Tampa Bay, the air flows over land and not over water. When this occurs, Tampa can be in for surprisingly cold mornings. 

Let's be clear. This Thanksgiving will not be a cold one in the books. Yes, the mornings will be cool, but the afternoons will be close to normal, with highs in the 70s. 

So, the answer to the headline of this article is yes! Tampa can dip into the 20s on Thanksgiving Day. The only reason why Tampa hasn't seen this happen before is that Thanksgiving didn't fall on Nov. 25 in 1970. Instead, Thanksgiving fell on Nov. 26. 

Tampa never recorded a temperature in the teens during November, but it doesn't mean it cannot happen. December, on the other hand, holds the record for Tampa's all-time low of 18 degrees. 

What was the coldest Thanksgiving Day on record for Tampa? You have to go back to 1954 when the high temperature reached just 57 degrees. It was a cold, rainy Thanksgiving Day in Tampa Bay that year. 

Thankfully, this year, the weather will cooperate on Thanksgiving with seasonable weather and lots of sun. You'll be able to grill outside with no problems.