December Weather in Disney World - Are forecasts accurate?

[DisneyFamily123]

Looking at the forecast for our trip starting Friday 12/3. OK, can this be right? It's 84F today and a forecasted low of 66F. And it's supposed to drop tomorrow to 66F high and 41F low? That's a huge drop in temperature! And then it will go up to 75 high on Monday 12/6.

I just wonder how much in advance the forecasts are accurate... The average high for this time of year is 75 so I was hoping for at least that!

 

[Robo]

Looking at the forecast for our trip starting Friday 12/3. OK, can this be right? It's 84F today and a forecasted low of 66F. And it's supposed to drop tomorrow to 66F high and 41F low? That's a huge drop in temperature! And then it will go up to 75 high on Monday 12/6.

I just wonder how much in advance the forecasts are accurate... The average high for this time of year is 75 so I was hoping for at least that!

Orlando winter weather can be all over the charts, even within the same week.

Going from very warm... all the way down to below freezing (hopefully, more of the former than the latter. )

Last year in Dec. and early Jan., they experienced a cold snap of epic proportions.
Don't know what will happen this year.

 

[mrsr2ro]

I just made the mistake for checking the weather for our trip 12/12 - 12/15 and it's all RAIN! Here's hoping it changes!

Anyway - to help you -- yes the weather can be all over the place. We went 12/2 - 12/9 last year and had just about everything! One day it rained ALL day which stunk. One morning when we had breakfast ADRs at AK TH we were all bundled up in coats, gloves, etc - I think it was in the upper 40's? Another evening at MK it was warm and muggy. And another day it was near 80 and we wore shorts! So it really can swing to all extremes. Packing layers is the key.

 

[tallen429]

According to most of the locals on the Dis, the answer is basically no...LOL!
I'm from Michigan, where the slogan is "Don't like the weather? Wait five minutes and it will change!". It sounds to me as though Florida could easily share in that slogan!
You can also check wunderground.com for historical weather. You can look up what the temps were last year on the dates of your stay this time but I wouldn't say it's all that useful. Interesting, though.
Good Luck!

 

[DebbieB]

I've gone the first week of December many times and it can drop suddenly. One time on the day we arrived it was 48.

 

[exwdwcm]

yep, that drastic change is very possible. We have weather similar to FL here in Dallas- heck the other day it was 70/84 (set a new record high for the low temp), the next day it was like high of 55 and low in the 30s. It is crazy. that's how it can be in FL, unpredictable. Just be prepared with layers.

We've been lucky on both of our Dec trips- it only rained one day on each of those trips. Hoping for the same luck this time, although a little rain isn't too bad, it clears out the park and you have it all to yourself!

 

[goofy4tink]

Orlando has been in the midst of an above normal temp range. The 'norm' is about 75 vs the mid to high 80's they've been having. So a drop to the 60's is going to be a bit lower than normal.
I have gone to WDW in early Dec for about 7 years now. I have been very comfortable during the day wearing a tee shirt (sometimes longsleeved, sometimes short) with a pari of capris. When the sun goes down, it gets downright chilly. It has to have something to do with the dampness of the air, but I have to tell you....55 degrees in Orlando is vastly different than 55 here in NE!! When at WDW, it seems to go right through you. So, at night I tend to wear jeans and a sweatshirt with heavier socks and a pair of light gloves in my backpack.

And yes, they are predicting rain in the far ranging forecast. But here's the thing...they don't really know. I arrive on the 6th and leave on the 13th....I am just not concerned with rain. I will bring my throw-away ponchos with me, just in case. That's the total sum of my concern.

 

[goofy4tink]

Orlando winter weather can be all over the charts, even within the same week.

Going from very warm... all the way down to below freezing (hopefully, more of the former than the latter. )

Last year in Dec. and early Jan., they experienced a cold snap of epic proportions.
Don't know what will happen this year.

When my eldest dd flew into MCO in January, there was a coating of snow on the ground!!! She was horrified!! The weather was better up here in NE that day!!!

 

[RMulieri]

Quite possible..On our trip last year Dec 12-19th ..We were in the 80's the first few days than had highs in the 50-60's towards the end.On other December trips I was in the pool one day and in coats and gloves the next day

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

we are going Dec2 to Dec 6 and packing a little bit of everything. I have gone every year in Dec and every year it is different!

 

[jessrose18]

we are also going next week weather.com seems to say highs in 70's and accuweather lists highs in teh 60's some days they seem to differ up to 15 degrees go figure. but we are also planning on tees during the day sweatshirts at night and gloves

 

[Dan Murphy]

Short term forecasting, less than a week, is quite accurate today, in any city. Out to about 5 days is very good, then tends to fall off a bit. But they are constantly extending that accuracy.

 

[AJsMomma]

We're there 12/3 - 12/10 - yay! Weather keeps getting worse and worse...sigh. I've unpacked and re-packed twice already. Then ran out today to get more warm stuff for the kiddo.

 

[jenjersnap]

The rain in the forecast seems to be the biggest variable since it has appeared, disappeared and re-appeared in the nearly two weeks I have been looking at the extended forecasts. The temps of high 60s most days next week have been consistent since I started looking. I am resigned to that temp ... we have one pool day planned and I guess we'll still be going even if it's that chilly!

 

[lvdis]

What has everyone found to be the best weather site to use? Also, what city do you check for; Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista, Orlando???

 

[DeadHead]

DW and I are heading down 12/5 - 12/10, along with accuweather & weather.com, I suugest you look at the local stations for their 5 & 7 day forecasts. WESH, WOFL, WFTV, and WKMG all have websites that you can check. I have been checking and all the forecasts have changed almost daily. I'll keep checking up until Saturday.

 

[erikawolf2004]

We leave at 6am but have been wondering the same thing. We have been checking on MSN and weather.com and some days there is 10-15 degree differance...so we have alittle bit of everything...but my husband keeps asking are you sure we need our winter coats-yep! We are going to MVMCP and CP and I want to make sure we don't freeze! I'm hoping that weather.com is more accurate!!!!

 

[maryj11]

I just made the mistake for checking the weather for our trip 12/12 - 12/15 and it's all RAIN! Here's hoping it changes!

Anyway - to help you -- yes the weather can be all over the place. We went 12/2 - 12/9 last year and had just about everything! One day it rained ALL day which stunk. One morning when we had breakfast ADRs at AK TH we were all bundled up in coats, gloves, etc - I think it was in the upper 40's? Another evening at MK it was warm and muggy. And another day it was near 80 and we wore shorts! So it really can swing to all extremes. Packing layers is the key.

OH Please No !!! Thats when we will be there Only 3 days and please please dont rain

 

[MouseyMin]

Yes, I recommend bringing winter coats, hats, and gloves. When the sun goes down, 55 degrees feels much colder than it would during the day. I only go in the winter, and I nearly always needed the ski jacket at least 1 night. If the forecast changes, the coats can just stay in the room - but at least you'll have them if you need them.

 

[CanadianPaco]

Good point - you can't wear what you didn't bring.