Expect the coldest morning of the season. Then it finally warms up.

The coolest morning in the middle of a series of strong cold fronts this year is expected to coincide with the annual Gasparilla parade in Tampa on Saturday, although the afternoon had to warm up nicely.

And at the end of the weekend, Tampa Bask will at the highest temperatures it has seen in almost two weeks.

Festivities begin at 1 p.m. 11:30 Saturday when the first pirate ship docks at the southern end of Hillsborough Bay. The parade starts at. 14.00

At that time, temperatures will have heated significantly after a very cold morning, said Christianne Pearce, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Tampa Bay office.

Parade-goers should expect an afternoon high in the low 60s after the temperatures are tied in the low to the mid-30s that morning.

“It should be a pretty comfortable day when you get out of the very cold morning temperatures,” Pearce said.

Tampa Bay’s long magic form of frigid weather has been extended thanks to the Arctic air swept south on the tail of the winter storm Enzo, which brought record snow to parts of Panhandle earlier this week.

With that front also comes a postponement from recent rainy spell. Saturday’s parade will sail down Bayshore Boulevard under sunny, clear skies, Pearce said.

But icy wind and sea breeze earlier that morning could make the air temperatures feel like they are below freezing, she added. But proximity to the shore of Tampa Bay should regulate the cool air.

“The water also helps keep the lowest temperatures in check,” Pearce said. “Right on the water will actually be a few degrees warmer than if you go a little further inland.”

More than 300,000 people-Inclusive over 50 Krewes and a parade of 120 units participant in the procession.

For those who gather their pirate costumes, the cool weather may require bundling early and then throw coats to pearls as the parade progresses.

“I would definitely just recommend a jacket for the morning,” Pearce said. “Dress in layers like you normally would and you should have a pretty decent day.”

The high temperature should reach the tall 60s on Sunday and will finally climb into the 70s early next week.