Weather in December

[canadianmom2three]

I've read lots of posts on the main boards about the weather in December, where the main consensus is that it could be warm, or really cold. I'm looking for a bit of a Canadian perspective on 'cold'. Anyone who has been and could compare it to a Canadian month in SW ontario? We're driving, so we will have full on winter outerwear, but I am wondering about how many really cold weather clothes to bring - I've heard people talking about long underwear, and layering t's with sweatshirts and fleecey coats etc. I don't want to be underprepared, but at the same time, we drive an SUV that doesn't have a ton of cargo room when the back row is used up, which it will be with all 3 kids wanting to spread out a bit, and I do want to squeeze in a few Christmas decorations and such) Thanks!!

 

[superforlan]

Hi i am from scotland so never really have good weather and especially in december. We have been a few times in december and the only time we really felt the cold was later on in the evening but during the day we wore short sleeve top/vest tops n 3/4 lengths and were hot enough

 

[iluveeyore]

We were there last year from Dec. 14-26th, and I must say, we were cold. The only thing that made us warm was the thought that we wouldn't have to deal with snow, but in the mornings and at night it was down to 32 degrees F some times. We had winter coats, gloves and scarves and managed okay in that with just light shirts/sweatshirts underneath. Of course, the teenagers were fine in their layers of t's, long sleeves and hoodies with stretchy gloves most of the time. And then, on Christmas day, I was laying by the pool in 70 degree weather! So yes, it can be either cold or warm - we did manage to wear capris/long shorts with sweatshirts a couple of days and could manage in a tshirt in late afternoon sometimes - so pack for all seasons!

 

[nepean]

Last year we were there Dec 27 to January 12th and we had some cold days. The year before it was really cold after New Years. It was colder in Orlando one day than it was in Toronto.l They were predicting sleet. That said we drive down and it have worn my Columbia jacket many times at Christmas. I have also seen some visitors wrapped in the bedspreads from their hotel rooms. People do look envious at our warmer clothes. I have have also been in the pool and worn shorts and tank tops. Both can and do happen around the holiday period. Since you are driving you will have your winter jackets and gloves so you would be fine. I wear a light t shirt(long sleeve oor 3/4) under my jacket and I have been fine. I pack for warm weather and since I am dressed for winter when I leave I just add a few long sleeve t shirts. It does get cooler when the sun goes down the same as here at home.

Hope this helps.

Nepean

 

[SmilingGrump]

Yep, was there last Dec 14-26. Weather was nice for 14 & 15 then it took a turn and we bought down jackets for our kids and hoodies and jeans for ourselves, gloves and hats all around. It was better on the cruise, but there was a day at Universal that we left as soon as the sun went behind the buildings. No way could we stay for the parade, and that was only 20 more minutes! It was warm enough to hit the pool the week before Christmas, but it was really chilly going to it!

 

[canadianmom2three]

Thanks for all the replies! I guess I will just bring a bit of everything, and plan on doing laundry while we are there. We are headed to my in-laws in Ft. Meyers for a week after we are done at Disney, so even if it isn't warm enough for shorts in Orlando, maybe it will be a bit better down there.

 

[tgropp]

In a nutshell, you'll never know what you will get but from what I remember

1992......mid 70's
1994.....mid 60's
1996....mid 70's
1998....mid 70's
2000.....mid 70's with a wicked cold snap before NYE
2002....mid 70's
2005....mid 60's and mid 80's on NYE
2007....lower 70's
2008....upper 60's
2010.... mid to upper 60's with a cold snap on Boxing Day
2011.... to be the best weather ever

There may be a splattering of cooler days mixed in but when a cold snap hits, it can be very cold at night. Last year on Dec 23'rd, while waiting for the Candlelight processional, I spent $50.00 on 2 blankets for my pregnant DIL. It can get very cold at night time, especially on the water at Epcot

 

[saskdw]

We were at DW in 2008 from Dec. 16th-25th. They had near record breaking highs the entire time we were there. Highs were 83F-90F everyday except one cool overcast day that was about 65F.

We were there 2010 from Dec. 14th-28th and it was below normal temps most of the trip including record lows on the 27th and 28th. We did have one day where it shot up to 85F (we went to Blizzard Beach that day) and a few days in the 70's, but alot of days in the 50's and 60's. The nice part about going for a full 2 weeks is there will always be a couple of nice days in Florida even if its a crappy month overall for weather.

Normal highs are in the 70's. We are going again this year from Dec. 14th-28th. Being that the last 2 Decembers were below normal temps, I figure the law of averages suggests nice weather this year!

I would love to see a repeat of 2008!

 

[canadianmom2three]

We were at DW in 2008 from Dec. 16th-25th. They had near record breaking highs the entire time we were there. Highs were 83F-90F everyday except one cool overcast day that was about 65F.

I would love to see a repeat of 2008!

ME TOO

 

[HeatherLassell]

I've read lots of posts on the main boards about the weather in December, where the main consensus is that it could be warm, or really cold. I'm looking for a bit of a Canadian perspective on 'cold'. Anyone who has been and could compare it to a Canadian month in SW ontario? We're driving, so we will have full on winter outerwear, but I am wondering about how many really cold weather clothes to bring - I've heard people talking about long underwear, and layering t's with sweatshirts and fleecey coats etc. I don't want to be underprepared, but at the same time, we drive an SUV that doesn't have a ton of cargo room when the back row is used up, which it will be with all 3 kids wanting to spread out a bit, and I do want to squeeze in a few Christmas decorations and such) Thanks!!

Being from Manitoba I personally wouldn't feel any temperature down there would be cold. Considering that here in Manitoba we get temps of -20C to -35C in December.

I've been to California in Feb a few times and saw people in big puffy winter jackets....and all the funny looks I got since I was in a tank top! Hey it was 15C! I came from -40!

 

[mommytodarlings]

We were there Dec 14-29 in 2007 and the weather was great. It was in the mid 70's everyday except one. That day was 41 F. We drove from SW Ontario and were prepared for everything, so putting on a long sleeve and pants for the day wasn't a big deal. I ended up doing more laundry than I had anticipated because we wore shorts and ts so much. We rented a house with a pool (heated) and swam everyday except the 41 day.

We drove down I75 straight through and just missed a big snowstorm that hit SW ON the next day. We kept an eye on the weather before we left and had no problems.

We did end up with a packed van though, with packing our winter gear (just in case of van problems, etc) for 4 kids and 2 adults. I also packed a small Christmas tree and decorations, so we did need a rooftop carrier, lol.