Collecting Daily Rain Data

[jbrinkm]

I'm curious about summer rain patterns, so I'd love it if anyone who is in the parks could share a few things, if you are willing?

1. What date & did it rain at all?
2. What time(s) did it start & end, approximately?
3. How heavy was it (did it stop rides and/or skyliner)?
4. (optional) How did you handle it? Leave, stay, indoor ride(s), shopping, duck into any covered enclosure, poncho up and keep going, raincoat or umbrella or nothing, etc... and were you happy with that method?

 

[LSUfan4444]

https://www.wunderground.com/history/monthly/us/fl/orlando

 

[rangebob]

There is no predictability with the rain here. It rained at Disney already this morning from what was being shown on the news. Did it rain at EPCOT but not at MK, quite possible. Did it rain on Spaceship earth but not on Mission Space, quite possible. We had it rain on our side of the street but not the other side. It could last for a minute or 5 hours. It could sprinkle or downpour (like Sunday) and be done in less than 2 minutes.

The last time that I went to the parks, I didn't care if I got soaking wet which I did. I enjoyed the parks and kept on going onto the rides. The only shutdown rides in severe weather or lightning. I've been in the park during a tropical storm and one of the few enjoying Illuminations that night.

 

[OKW Lover]

We live very close to the parks and I'd suggest that you simply refer to the link provided by @LSUfan4444 above if you're really interested. But I'd also suggest that historic weather info is not a good guide to what you might expect when you actually get here.

 

[wdw&sonny]

Yep...what others have said. No point in tracking, predicting or even worrying about it. Likely to rain in the afternoon in summer. But, with local/scattered storms, it may rain in one park but not another. If you're lucky, it rains and the parks empty out. Can be some of the best times at WDW.

 

[Mr. Drauer]

These threads are so ridiculous - time after time people post that their whole week has rain predicted, followed by response after response about short term showers or the time it rained for two days straight. Central Florida in summer is prone to afternoon thunderstorms. It's like taking a trip to Buffalo in January and being surprised there is 18 inches of snow. But just like the fact that it doesn't snow all day every day in Buffalo (not trying to pick on Buffalo - just using it as an example), it doesnt rain everyday or all day in Central Florida. Long term weather data was used by Walt when he bought and planned WDW. In the previous 50 years prior to WDW being built, it rained only 2 out 10 days at the MK site versus the amount of rain days in other parts of the Orlando area. Still, the weather forecasts in Central Florida show rain % - which translates into X% of the viewing area will receive some rain that day. You are more likely to get rain at AK than MK, but much more likely to get rain at Universal Studios than WDW. Our meteorologists locally are great, and they are still wrong half the time at least. Be prepared to see rain, but don't be surprised if you come during period of high pressure where it doesn't rain for a week. Then you can start the typical thread of how hot it was during your trip and where was that rain shower to cool things off....

 

[holden]

Will it rain? Most likely yes

Will it pour? Most likely yes

Will it drizzle? Most likely yes

Will it thunder/lightning? Most likely yes

What time? Often afternoon but possible anytime

If it rains there is no thunder, we keep going as if there was no rain. I pack an extra pair of shoes in case we hit rain and my shoes get soaked.

If there is thunder we seek shelter until the storm passes, then continue our day.

Count on rain every day. If there is none you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Eastern]

When you go during the summer you have to expect the possibility of exciting weather. I bring lots of quick dry clothing and an extra pair of shoes. I use the myradar app to look for approaching rain but even that isn't perfect. As others said, no predictability with the rain.

I usually expect a short thunderstorm sometime in the 4-5pm hours. A light rain is refreshing in the summer, can clear out a park for you, and you might see a

 

[fla4fun]

We have actually had it rain in our front yard and be bone dry in our backyard. Florida rain is weird. I don’t leave the parks when it rains unless radar shows it’s going to be particularly bad. A good weather app on your phone is your best friend. Take a poncho with you, and wear shoes that can get wet, and just go with the flow. Any building will become crowded when it rains, as people seek shelter, so if you are prepared for the rain, and there is no lightning, you will probably enjoy being outdoors more than indoors if it’s a quick rain. I tend to check the weather app a few times per day, just to keep on top of things, as sometimes you can time an indoor theater attraction or a meal when you see rain will be coming.

A note regarding the Skyliner . . . they will close the Skyliner if there are storms within a certain radius, even if there are no storms actually affecting the Skyliner directly. When I was there last August, there were a few times I just made it to Epcot before they shut it down, and it wasn’t storming close to the Skyliner at all. I got in the habit of coming in on the Skyliner, doing WS, then doing FW and taking the AoA bus back (I was staying at Pop) because that was more reliable than walking all the way back to the IG only to find the Skyliner down for afternoon storms. I have been on the Skyliner in a light rain and wind, so I don’t think rain specifically is the issue, it’s more the lightning or severe wind that could cause problems.

 

[FCDub]

I don't know how previous rain data could predict what it will do in two months.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Moving to Theme Parks Community board.

 

[jbrinkm]

This is hurtful, y'all... Not a single poster actually answers my question. Every answer is a criticism of my curiosity. Clearly you think my question is stupid and assume you know why I'm asking. None of you needed to post here if you didn't like what I was asking.

Moderators - please close this thread.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Thread closed