Cold snap hits Gasparilla: dressing for record chill.
Tampa's annual Gasparilla festival is set to draw thousands to downtown this weekend, but with a severe Arctic outbreak expected to hit the state, participants can expect extremely cold conditions. Temperatures in the 40s are not as much of an issue as the howling winds gusting up to 40 mph, which will make wind chills plummet into the 30s during the parade.
To brave the elements and keep your pirate persona intact, thermal underwear is a good option to wear under your costume. Sporting goods stores or clothing sections should carry these essentials. For added warmth on the lower body, fleeced-lined leggings can also be worn under your outfit.
A windbreaker or shell jacket with windchill protection is a must-have for protecting against the 30-degree wind chill that's expected. When choosing, ensure the jacket remains breathable to allow sweat to escape while still shielding you from the cold. Fortunately, pirate jackets do exist and will keep you in costume while keeping you warm.
Dressing in layers is often touted as a cliché, but it holds true when faced with prolonged exposure to such extreme weather conditions. Berardelli advises wearing the right clothes to stay comfortable for hours on end. He plans to wear thermal underwear himself, stating, "If you wear the right clothes, you'll be fine."
Additional accessories like gloves and lip balm can help mitigate issues in cold, windy conditions. Gloves will keep your hands (or hook) warm, while lip balm provides protection against chapped lips caused by the harsh weather.
In light of these forecasts, participants should take the necessary precautions to stay comfortable during Gasparilla celebrations this weekend.
Tampa's annual Gasparilla festival is set to draw thousands to downtown this weekend, but with a severe Arctic outbreak expected to hit the state, participants can expect extremely cold conditions. Temperatures in the 40s are not as much of an issue as the howling winds gusting up to 40 mph, which will make wind chills plummet into the 30s during the parade.
To brave the elements and keep your pirate persona intact, thermal underwear is a good option to wear under your costume. Sporting goods stores or clothing sections should carry these essentials. For added warmth on the lower body, fleeced-lined leggings can also be worn under your outfit.
A windbreaker or shell jacket with windchill protection is a must-have for protecting against the 30-degree wind chill that's expected. When choosing, ensure the jacket remains breathable to allow sweat to escape while still shielding you from the cold. Fortunately, pirate jackets do exist and will keep you in costume while keeping you warm.
Dressing in layers is often touted as a cliché, but it holds true when faced with prolonged exposure to such extreme weather conditions. Berardelli advises wearing the right clothes to stay comfortable for hours on end. He plans to wear thermal underwear himself, stating, "If you wear the right clothes, you'll be fine."
Additional accessories like gloves and lip balm can help mitigate issues in cold, windy conditions. Gloves will keep your hands (or hook) warm, while lip balm provides protection against chapped lips caused by the harsh weather.
In light of these forecasts, participants should take the necessary precautions to stay comfortable during Gasparilla celebrations this weekend.