Weather - local Orlando folks

[Brer Brett]

Not really sure where to post this - - - anyway, for local Orlando residents, do you find that ten day weather forecasts for Orlando are as unpredictable as anywhere else? Or are they fairly reliable?

We are getting in this Friday. Through the weekend looks pretty good temperature wise. Then into next week - - (Feb. 24 - 28) is looking a little spotty (cooler temps and rain and storms being around for a lot of those days). We just want warm and sunny obviously!

It will be great regardless, but I guess I'm just looking for some reassurance to not put a whole lot of stock into such far out predictions. And, when it does rain there, those systems can move in and out pretty fast, right? Right?!?

Thanks!

 

[CanadianPaco]

Great question! I'm interested in this too!

 

[triana00]

We've been stalking also...plane travel and sketchy weather is making packing difficult!!

 

[NinaBella]

I am a Tampa local. I never look at any weather forecasts. LoL. I just wake up and see what it feels like and dress appropriately for the day. I know... I am no help. Right now I am sitting at my computer with fleece pants and a sweatshirt on if that helps. My DH keeps leaving the lanai door open for our dogs to go in/out so it's pretty cool in my house. I get cold easily. My DH and DD; however, are siting on the couch in shorts and a tank top.

 

[ucfknight]

10 day forecasts in the summertime are reliable in Orlando, but that's only because it is easy to predict when every day for 3 months will be 95 for the high with a 30% chance of afternoon showers and 90% humidity.

However, this time of year the weather is highly unpredictable and constantly changing. Forecasts 3 days out are often highly inaccurate. I certainly wouldn't start planning specific activities for specific days 10 days away based on a 10 day forecast right now.

The rain this time of year is not the typical 20 minute afternoon thunderstorm variety you would see in the summer. The rain and temperatures are all dependent on when cold fronts move through, how fast the fronts are moving, and how strong they are. If a front stalls, it can rain for a couple days straight like it did a week ago. If the front moves fast, it may rain for only a few hours like it did a few days ago. Temperatures are also highly variable based on the timing and strengths of the fronts. One day it can be 80 for the high and 55 for the low. If a cold front moves thought that night, the next day could be 55 for the high and 35 for the low.

 

[GovieMom]

We are getting in this Friday. Through the weekend looks pretty good temperature wise. Then into next week - - (Feb. 24 - 28) is looking a little spotty (cooler temps and rain and storms being around for a lot of those days). We just want warm and sunny obviously!

I feel your pain; we're arriving Saturday, and every time I check the weather forecast for next week it shows more rain. Ugh! And to make it worse, the weather there "this" week is gorgeous! Typical.

 

[Suellen]

Usually even the weather forecast today for today's weather is wrong.

Take it with a grain of salt and this time of year pack with layers.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Not to mention the fact that the weather in the Orlando area can be VERY localized ... to the point that it could be pouring rain by Splash Mountain, but no rain at all near Space Mountain. It's rather difficult to predict. But generally, I don't trust 10-day forecasts.

If you are going to look at a long range forecast, look at the NOAA forecast or the forecast from wunderground.com. Those tend to be somewhat more accurate than the Weather Channel, and much more accurate than any of the local "news" media. (That being said, they're still not completely reliable, and shouldn't be assumed to be)

 

[fla4fun]

About five days out, start checking our local news affiliates (WOFL, WKMG, WFTV and WESH). I find the local weather in the three to five day range to be fairly accurate. Some of them even do a seven day forecast, but when you get past the fourth day or so then it's still not very accurate.

10 day forecasts aren't so accurate, but they are a guide to use when packing. If I were arriving Saturday for a two week trip, I would pack layers, a light- to mid-weight jacket, a poncho, and a swimsuit - based on what the forecast shows. You might end up not needing the jacket or not needing the poncho, but I'm one of those people who likes to be prepared.

 

[Brer Brett]

Thanks for all the responses! I'm dreaming of 80s and sunshine, but all I have to do is look out my window and see barren trees and snow everywhere and quickly I remember that I would take 50s and green leaves at this point.

 

[beckysko]

worried too - we are going Sun-Thurs so it would be nice not to have rain!

 

[Otter49]

A 10 day weather forecast is completely useless this time of year. A 5 day is almost as bad. A 2 day is probably 50/50.

For example - there have been three days in the last month when the day of forecast for the high temp was missed by at least 10 degrees, on the low side.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

I personally only believe the forecast 2-3 days out. I also find that the highs are a tad generous. Oftentimes it'll say the high of the day will be 75 so I'll dress appropriately in the morning, only to find it never gets warmer than 70.

 

[bumbershoot]

Not to mention the fact that the weather in the Orlando area can be VERY localized ... to the point that it could be pouring rain by Splash Mountain, but no rain at all near Space Mountain.

So true.

We just want warm and sunny obviously!

From experience...if you really need that, don't plan a Winter trip.

Last month during our trip it was colder in Orlando than it was in Anchorage one day. Wind chill took it down to the low 20s. And we were on a boat going to DTD that day.

No more winter trips for us. Tired of getting sick each time.