Understanding Weather

[cherice95403]

We are going to WDW for the first time on 6/8 for 7 days and I see 50% chance of rain and thunder on the forecast most days. I am unfamiliar with Florida weather, but is that typical? Should I be concerned or pack differently? I live in Northern CA and rain typically = cold, but I am guessing it is still pretty warm even in the Florida rain. Is that right? I have ponchos and we are mostly bringing quick dry clothes.

Anything I should know?

 

[IndyRnRfan]

Yes it is during the summer months. When we first started going it would always rain about 30-45 minutes in the afternoon. More recently it seems to last a little longer but you can bet it will rain at some point during the afternoon during the summer. With that being said we have only been in July and August so June might be different. I can tell you at WDW, rain = more humidity and it is never cold.

 

[dprincessmom]

50% means that it might rain and it might not. In FL there is always a chance of a quick thunderstorm in the afternoon. Typically these blow over sometimes 10 minutes, sometimes an hour. Unless there is a tropical storm/Hurricane the odds of it raining all day are very small.

Pack your poncho/rain jacket and go with the flow you will be fine.

 

[msmama]

Also, in central florida it's very common to rain pretty hard somewhere, but be perfectly sunny 5 miles (or less) away.

And don't expect the humidity to drop after a nice rain storm. It doesn't. If anything it feels even more oppressive.

We had several days of our last trip (a few weeks ago) that called for 80-90% chance of rain and didn't see a drop. The only time it rained was on the day it was a 20% chance of rain.

Another thing to note, if there is a storm, "in the area" (basically if you can hear thunder in the distance even though it's perfectly sunny) some things may close - we got kicked out of the pool and Swiss Family Robinson tree house were the two we experienced.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

That's my arrival date, too! I've been in the summer before, so I am packing our ponchos and umbrellas(not just for rain but to block the sun while waiting for parades). We don't even bother packing jackets. Also, make sure you bring waterproof shoes like tevas or crocs. It does rain pretty much every afternoon and there can be puddles.

 

[nilla]

That's my arrival date, too!

And ours! This is our first time visiting after May, so it will be interesting. It's usually VERY dry when we're there. Won't be this time.

 

[Fizban]

We are going to WDW for the first time on 6/8 for 7 days and I see 50% chance of rain and thunder on the forecast most days. I am unfamiliar with Florida weather, but is that typical? Should I be concerned or pack differently? I live in Northern CA and rain typically = cold, but I am guessing it is still pretty warm even in the Florida rain. Is that right? I have ponchos and we are mostly bringing quick dry clothes.

Anything I should know?

Florida in June is hot. There are afternoon rains daily usually between 3:00 and 6:00 pm. They last roughly half an hour and they cause the humidity to get worse right after the rains for about an hour. Dont bother with a parasol but you can bring ponchos if you wish. Being a Florida native we actually dont bother trying to run because it is refreshing to be in the rain and also the rides seriously get easier to get on because everyone else is hiding from the rain. Just avoid any lightning storms.

 

[DrummerBoy523]

We are going to WDW for the first time on 6/8 for 7 days and I see 50% chance of rain and thunder on the forecast most days. I am unfamiliar with Florida weather, but is that typical? Should I be concerned or pack differently? I live in Northern CA and rain typically = cold, but I am guessing it is still pretty warm even in the Florida rain. Is that right? I have ponchos and we are mostly bringing quick dry clothes.

Anything I should know?

Pack parkas/rain jackets. The heat builds up every day and you are are surrounded by water so eventually it will just have to rain. This is typical. We just returned and it rained 3 of the 5 days we were at the parks and I honestly wish it had rained all days because it was HOT!!!

The only day of our trip that was affected adversly was our last day in the parks (Monday 6/1). We had FP+ at 7:30 for Splash and at 8:30 for BTMR. A strong severe TStorm came through around 5PM and didn't leave until after 10PM. We called it quits at 7PM and just went back and packed up for our trip home.

 

[princesspiglet]

We go every June- usually after the last day of school. This year is June 12-21. Last year it rained every single day of our trip in the afternoon. We had a major storm come through one day while we were in the pool at BLT. They pulled everyone out and we just sat at the bar area and waited for it to pass...it never did! That was the only time we got rained out. Every other day was just a short 30 episode and we would throw on our ponchos and go with it.

Now, I don't agree with the people who said it never gets cold. I will never forget last year, Friday, June 13th, 2:47pm. We were in MK and it was hot as heck. Went on Splash Mountain to cool off...ride ended up breaking down at the bottom of the big drop. We were going around the corner (for the last half of the story) and the ride just stopped. The sky then opened up and it started pouring! We were already wet from the drop and we ended up sitting there for a good 30 mins with the rain just beating on us. We were about ready to cry, but we had to laugh...nothing else to do! By the time the ride started back up we were soooo cold, literally shaking from the chill. And then we had to finish the rest of the ride in the coldness! We got off and were soaking wet, every inch of us. We had to make out way back to BLT to change our clothes and the whole walk back was pure torture. So yes, after that rain shower it was cold!

 

[pmaurer74]

We have been 7 times. Two times in June. I can count on one hand the numbers of times it rained in all 7 trips combined but they were all in June. We did lose one day due to rain but I think there was a tropical depression nearby. The night we got there we were stuck in a bus stop in an awful, scary storm. It was cold and blowing really bad. I learned later it had rotation. We did not know where we were. It was the first night at SSR and I was not positive which stop was closest to our building. Finally we took a gamble and ran for it and luckily we were close to our building but I was scared huddled in the corner of the bus stop with winds like that. Like PP said avoid the lightening storms but rain is usually short. We keep an eye on radar and have a plan just in case.

 

[skibum25]

Also arriving 6/8!

Been in FL several times in June. Chances are you will experience rain on several days of your trip. But the forecast looks good right now as respects tropical storms so the rains shouldn't last long. Find some place to wait it out or grin and bear it. But it should pass.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

We go every June- usually after the last day of school. This year is June 12-21. Last year it rained every single day of our trip in the afternoon. We had a major storm come through one day while we were in the pool at BLT. They pulled everyone out and we just sat at the bar area and waited for it to pass...it never did! That was the only time we got rained out. Every other day was just a short 30 episode and we would throw on our ponchos and go with it.

Now, I don't agree with the people who said it never gets cold. I will never forget last year, Friday, June 13th, 2:47pm. We were in MK and it was hot as heck. Went on Splash Mountain to cool off...ride ended up breaking down at the bottom of the big drop. We were going around the corner (for the last half of the story) and the ride just stopped. The sky then opened up and it started pouring! We were already wet from the drop and we ended up sitting there for a good 30 mins with the rain just beating on us. We were about ready to cry, but we had to laugh...nothing else to do! By the time the ride started back up we were soooo cold, literally shaking from the chill. And then we had to finish the rest of the ride in the coldness! We got off and were soaking wet, every inch of us. We had to make out way back to BLT to change our clothes and the whole walk back was pure torture. So yes, after that rain shower it was cold!

Ha!!! The same thing happened to us on the Speedway. We were waiting in line to get out of the cars, and a huge downpour started. We were soaked to the bone when we got off...looked like we went swimming...

 

[scrappinmom]

Also arriving 6/8!

Been in FL several times in June. Chances are you will experience rain on several days of your trip. But the forecast looks good right now as respects tropical storms so the rains shouldn't last long. Find some place to wait it out or grin and bear it. But it should pass.

Where do you find the tropical storm forecast (long range)?

 

[mesaboy2]

Last week, I took a picture from my DTD hotel balcony of Tower of Terror under rainy clouds and Spaceship Earth in the sun. Typical Florida weather.

 

[skibum25]

Where do you find the tropical storm forecast (long range)?

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gtwo.php?basin=atlc&fdays=5

Plus you can look at a map and see them forming off to the south and west. No guarantee they will hit Florida but so far not much is forming.

Can't say the same for Pacific coast. I have a friend headed to Mexico tomorrow and his forecast looks very bad.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Florida in June is hot. There are afternoon rains daily usually between 3:00 and 6:00 pm. They last roughly half an hour and they cause the humidity to get worse right after the rains for about an hour. Dont bother with a parasol but you can bring ponchos if you wish. Being a Florida native we actually dont bother trying to run because it is refreshing to be in the rain and also the rides seriously get easier to get on because everyone else is hiding from the rain. Just avoid any lightning storms.

Another native here...we get the west and east coast sea breezes collide in the afternoon and it cause thunderstorms. Late spring/summer is our wet season.

 

[godders]

Chances are it could rain when you're there but you have the right plan with quick drying clothes and ponchos. I might also suggest a spare pair of shoes to put on if you do get caught because walking around in wet shoes sucks!!

If you can, try to find some cover so you don't get too wet (under Splash is quite good) and afterwards avoid indoor rides because damp clothes plus aircon = freezing! I learnt that lesson last year!

 

[MickeyReeds]

We have the same arrival day! We've never been in the summer, but are just planning on going with the flow! I'm more concerned about the heat and the long days my DH has planned--I'm hoping to convince him that a break will be a wonderful thing!!

 

[11290]

If anyone says they can predict central FL weather, just laugh at them. I've worked MK for 6 years and there is no way anyone can tell what the rain will do, well maybe sometimes during hurricanes.

I was working turnstiles one summer afternoon and we could not see Grand Floridian because of the rain on the lagoon but we were standing in bright sunshine getting sunscreen on. Did not rain a drop inside MK but went to my car (about 1/2 mile north of MK) about 5pm and the lot had standing water on it from rain (seats were wet too but that was my fault). Have watched radar images at some of out parade meetings and seen "all red & green" for MK parade times, gone out and never seen a drop.

 

[bumbershoot]

Another thing to note, if there is a storm, "in the area" (basically if you can hear thunder in the distance even though it's perfectly sunny) some things may close - we got kicked out of the pool and Swiss Family Robinson tree house were the two we experienced.

It's not just a storm, but a storm with lightning. And the lightning has to be within a certain distance of the area (inside of 3 or 5 miles I can never recall). The park and resort personnel are kept informed so they will close things down when needed. (it's the same for Universal, in case anyone wonders). In a normal rainstorm things go on as usual. If you're at the pool, keep on enjoying it (though cover your stuff). (it always cracks me up when people leave a pool because of rain, though protecting your belongings, especially if you've brought books or electronics, is totally valid) But when they get word of lightning closer-in, the pool closes entirely.

Where do you find the tropical storm forecast (long range)?

For FL it doesn't really matter. Short-term forecast, that day, is what's important.

Last week, I took a picture from my DTD hotel balcony of Tower of Terror under rainy clouds and Spaceship Earth in the sun. Typical Florida weather.

I would love to see that!!!!

I remember dealing with a huge amount of rain in AK. We slogged our way out (our day was done there already) and headed to MK, where it was totally dry.