August Weather

[KimmLynn]

I'm heading down to WDW in August for a girls trip. My aunt is crazy and is freaking out about the Florida heat (we're from Maine). Does anyone know what the weather is like in August?
Peace out

 

[mjmcca]

Hot and wet. I go all the time.

 

[Bob P]

Hi and welcome to the DIS!

It is relentlessly hot and humid in August. When you wake up in the morning it will already be very warm and humid. You can also expect thunderstorms almost every afternoon that last anywhere from 15 minutes to a couple of hours, but they do nothing to cool it off.

Having said that, as you can see from my signature below, we LOVE to go in August. It's easy to pack: shorts, swimsuits, and t-shirts are all you need!

Enjoy...and peace out!

Bob

 

[SammieG]

its hot and humid. Regular thunderstorms, that are usually over in half an hour.

Its fine, just dip into some air conditioning and you will be just fine!

 

[MinnieFan]

If you like the heat and humidity, you will be fine. If you don't, like me, you will be sort of miserable. I remember waiting to see the parade, and every time someone bumps into you they stick to you (gross). It doesn't even cool off at night. We still had a great trip (after all, we were in Disney!) but I will never go in August again.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

If you like the heat and humidity, you will be fine. If you don't, like me, you will be sort of miserable. I remember waiting to see the parade, and every time someone bumps into you they stick to you (gross). It doesn't even cool off at night. We still had a great trip (after all, we were in Disney!) but I will never go in August again.

august is the longest month in florida. like posted above, the humidity sticks around in the evening and it really never cools off, even with the sea breezes. orlando is even worse.

 

[lillygator]

August is typically the hottest month! very hot, very humid and lots of afternoon showers! Just be prepared and you'll have a great time!

 

[MouseWorshipin]

I spent a summer on the coast of Maine (lots of fog) and you know how it feels at about 1:00 p.m. in August in Maine? That is how it feels at 6:45 a.m. in Orlando sometimes. I'm not kidding.

So hot and muggy! I'm pretty active, not athletic but not fat, and by 11:15 a.m. I thought I'd drop over if I didn't get out of the heat. The kids, however, have no problem with it. They don't even seem to notice.

Everyone says the thunderstorms don't last long, and I believe them. But there are times (like, every time I go in August) where for days and days it will start raining at 3 or 4:00 p.m. and continue for 2-3 hours. It isn't a big deal, but bring some extra shoes, just in case.

 

[imagineerhopefull]

I've been down there twice in August. The first time seemed worse than the second. The first time there was a good amount of crowds, got stuck in the hurricane, and didnt get to do much. The second time, however, the parks seemed surprisingly quiet for it being the begining of August. Lines were not bad at all, there was the daily afternoon shower, but dont let that slow you down. I'm from Massachusetts and the change in climate wasn't all that bad for me. I do however go to school in South Carolina, so obviously I'm not too big a fan of the snow.

 

[Family Fun Mom]

Mega hot, sticky, afternoon rain each and every day. But I'd still go back in late August due to the low crowds.

 

[KarenP99]

To echo what everyone has said, hot, wet & sticky. The evenings provide little relief.

Just remember you might want something (a light sweater etc) for the indoor dining & attractions. The A/C is COLD and after the heat it's almost nauseating!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hot , humid like everyone has said - we have to go in August because of the UK school holidays but from the middle of the month the crowds are not too bad.

 

[zookeeper]

As long as you're prepared for it to be really hot and really humid than it will probably be OK. Then once you're there it might not be as bad as you imagined. (OK, probably not, but it's worth a shot!! )

One piece of advice is to make sure you either have more than 1 set of clothes per day or be prepared to do laundry while you're there because with the weather you definitely change your clothes at least once a day because they're sweaty and smelly from walking around.

 

[johnvree]

There are a few other recent posts on summer weather you might want to check out.

We go in August because we take long vacations and have to work around our kids' school schedule. August is hot, but only a few degrees warmer than June and July. It rains most days, but it is very predictable. It usually starts to rain in the late afternoon and clears in a couple of hours. BTW, June gets more rain than August. The good news is the low crowds. The last two weeks of August really slow up.

Here's how to make August enjoyable. Be at the parks for park opening. You will be surprised how much touring you can get done between 9:00 and 11:00 before the crowds role in. Around 11:30, break for lunch, hit a couple more attractions and then go back to your resort for a rest. It is a much better place to be during the hottest part of the day and when the thunderstorms role in. Go back to the parks around 5 or 6 for dinner, shows, a few more attractions, parades and fireworks.

The one wildcard is the threat of a hurricane. August is smack in the middle of hurricane season. Keep in mind, it is rare that a hurricane has a significant impact on orlando attractions. WDW is pretty far inland so even if a storm directly hits central Florida, most of its strength will be sapped by the time it reaches Orlando. Of course, a hurricane can definitely be a vacation wrecker (and a lot worse for residents). As I have said before. We were at Universal last year when Katrina skipped off of Florida. Central Florida had some of its best weather that week.

 

[outlndr]

Hi we are from Maine too (West Paris), we went last year in August. It was really hot but as long as we stayed hydrated and stopped to go inside when the kids needed to we were ok. The thunderstorms are a trip though, not at all what we are used to here at home, lots of lightning!!! People don't even seem to notice it is going on unless it is pouring down, I tend to steer the kids someplace inside until it is over, I don't want to be the one who plays lightning rod :smile:.
We have to travel during the summer due to the kids school schedule. I would say as long as you are prepared for the heat, take breaks when you need to and have plenty of water/powerade (we alternate between both each time we get drinks) you should be fine. Also given that here at home it is usually hot and humid by August it shouldn't be too much of a shock to the system.
I do agree about having plenty of changes of clothes, we went to AK and went on Kali river, my daughters got soaked, we left and had to stop at Walmart, it was so cold in there from the air conditioning that they both caught cold. Just a tip, take a spare set of clothes w/you to the parks, leave them in the car or go back to the hotel before heading out. We won't make that mistake again, it made for a really uncomfortable drive home for them.
We just bought into DVC so we will be making yearly trips from now on . Maybe we will see you there we will be at VWL from the 20th - 26th.

 

[Harambe]

Great advice from everyone. I'll add (I know this is weird, but you said all girls, right?!?!) bring extra undergarments! Like others have said, you'll be doing laundry everyday or putting on sticky, smelly bras! LOL!

And definately do the Extra Magic Hour in the morning. You'll get tons done then you can have either a wonderful long lunch in an air conditioned restaurant, or go back to your resort for a dip in the pool.

 

[outlndr]

Hi we are from Maine too (West Paris), we went last year in August. It was really hot but as long as we stayed hydrated and stopped to go inside when the kids needed to we were ok. The thunderstorms are a trip though, not at all what we are used to here at home, lots of lightning!!! People don't even seem to notice it is going on unless it is pouring down, I tend to steer the kids someplace inside until it is over, I don't want to be the one who plays lightning rod
We have to travel during the summer due to the kids school schedule. I would say as long as you are prepared for the heat, take breaks when you need to and have plenty of water/powerade (we alternate between both each time we get drinks) you should be fine. Also given that here at home it is usually hot and humid by August it shouldn't be too much of a shock to the system.
I do agree about having plenty of changes of clothes, we went to AK and went on Kali river, my daughters got soaked, we left and had to stop at Walmart, it was so cold in there from the air conditioning that they both caught cold. Just a tip, take a spare set of clothes w/you to the parks, leave them in the car or go back to the hotel before heading out. We won't make that mistake again, it made for a really uncomfortable drive home for them.
We just bought into DVC so we will be making yearly trips from now on . Maybe we will see you there we will be at VWL from the 20th - 26th.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Harambe -

Thanks for the tip! I don't think I have 18 bras, so it must be time to go to the mall!!

I realize the easy solution would be to bring a little bottle of Woolite and rinse them out in the sink, but where's the fun in that?

DS's uncle has already made the first rule for our trip. He says nobody is allowed to say "It's hot" the whole week we are there! So quick! Give me all your synonyms for hot! Blistering, broiling, roasting, sweltering, stifling, steamy, scalding...

 

[stahshee]

I went the last week in Aug and it was just like NY summer

 

[rparmfamily]

I call it "sweltering!" LOL!

Like everyone said, be prepared for hot and humid (think mid 90's) and that wonderful afternoon thunderstorm (they are awesome!!!) I lived in Maine for a couple years and only remember a storm like that twice, but they are daily events for the summer in Fla. Loud thunder, bright lightening and a massive downpour. I'm a Floridian, so I think they are so cool.

Honestly, you may be surprised. My girlfriend came down from Portland 2 August's ago and didn't think the heat was bad at all. Though she did get to come for a hurricane (Jeanne? Charley? Frances? I get them mixed up) and she found that nerveracking and exciting.

The advice you got about hitting the parks early, and heading back to your hotel for a nap or lunch is great. It rains around 3 usually. Then it's super steamy after the rain.

The best part is swimming at night!!