Winter weather

[Taratink]

We are planning a trip for Feb 05. we went at the same time last year and the weather was nice in the 70's. I hear all these stories about people wearing ski jackets and gloves. Please tell me that is extremely unusual. Are these people from the south? I am hardy Bostonian running away from 20 degree temperatures and the 60's is warm to me. Tell me your Feb weather experiences.
Tara

 

[3for Me]

TaraTink -

I AM from the south and was there last February too. The first few days were the usual - we were in shorts. Then for one night at the end of our trip we had to buy gloves at one of the gift shops and layer as many thin jackets and long sleeve shirts as possible. But I can tell you that EVERYONE no matter where they were from, was freezing. (I remember seeing a friend of mine who told me it had dipped into the 30's and the WIND was whipping!)

That has never happened to us before, but I would go ahead and pack a few "layering" pieces and a thin (not bulky) pair of gloves, because after that experience you just never know.

I truly would not have believed it if it had not happened to me.

Hope this helps!

 

[Blondie]

We've found that the weather can be very unpredictable in late January and early February.

In January 2003, the temps one night dipped down to 28 degrees! The local news stations were all about orange crops freezing!

We actually had to put the heat on in our room at the Wilderness Lodge 2 nights that we were there.

The other days and nights were wonderful though, with temps during the day in the mid 70's, and night temps in the 60's! It does amuse me to see Floridians all bundled up in hats and gloves when the temps are in the mid 50's! For me, that's perfect sweatshirt weather!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

We were there the last week of Feb in 2004. Most of the days were fine, around 65-75 degrees. We did have one or two days though where the weather was downright terrible. So much so that we left the parks because we were freezing.

We also had a lot of rain, which was not that bad, but probably added to the cold. We did have one day where the rain was horrible and IMO, ruined our day. (And I never let rain ruin my day but this day it was just unbearable). I'm told that this much rain in Feb is unusual though.

We still had a great trip. I prefer the cold to the heat so I didn't really mind the 65 degree days.

I'm from Boston too, so I can handle the cold.

 

[DVCconvert]

I hear all these stories about people wearing ski jackets and gloves. Please tell me that is extremely unusual. Are these people from the south? I am hardy Bostonian running away from 20 degree temperatures and the 60's is warm to me. Tell me your Feb weather experiences.

In a very warm (to the locals) Feburary you'll fit right it. But under (local) 'normal' weather or cooler, you may look like a loonie! (just kidding).

Coming from where you are, no fears, it will be nice. You should bring some long pants and maybe a fleece/windbreaker. But I've only once wished I'd had gloves (and that was late night) but never did I think I needed true 'winter' wear as defined by Boston standards.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

We were there early Feb this yr and it was pretty chilly some days. The day we went to AK the CM's all had on hats, gloves and warm coats and the guests were mostly FREEZING! Even tho it was 38-40 there was a brisk wind and it made it feel much colder. My friend and I bought sweatshirts at AK to have on hand for the evening and early mornings. It did warm up the day before we left and the day we left - low 70's - perfect.


I'm from Boston and she's from MN so we are both used to the cold!

Bring a warm sweatshirt at least - and jeans!

 

[chyam]

I grew up in Wisconsin and have lived here 22 years, and there are times during the "winter" here that I have literally froze and most of those times were during the MVMCP parties! I have actually worn a ski jacket and gloves to a few. The problem with Dec. Jan and Feb is that one day it is beautiful and t shirt weather and the next day it is cold. Although 50-60 does not sound cold to you "northerners" the problem with FL is that it is so damp which makes it feel colder than it reads on the thermometer. It's the same humidity that makes our summers almost unbearable to some. I have actually had my bird bath freeze in Feb. Each year is different though and the best thing to do is check the weather sites for a 7 day forecast before arriving here. The weather is very strange this year...........I would never have thought I would be sitting waiting on hurricane #4 in less than 6 weeks...............it seems every weekend that I am off I am listening to hurricane warnings!