Scattered Showers...

[GoofBall06]

If the forecast says Scattered T-storms or a 30% chance of rain, does that really affect a whole day at the park? When do rides close due to the weather? Are the rain storms long or are they really short? The reason I'm asking is because I'll be down at WDW on Friday and a few days in the forecast predicts scattered storms. I will be SOOO upset if storms ruin my days at the parks. :brick: Should i not worry about this too much?

 

[Pongo]

If the forecast says Scattered T-storms or a 30% chance of rain, does that really affect a whole day at the park? When do rides close due to the weather? Are the rain storms long or are they really short? The reason I'm asking is because I'll be down at WDW on Friday and a few days in the forecast predicts scattered storms. I will be SOOO upset if storms ruin my days at the parks. :brick: Should i not worry about this too much?

Probably not. At this time of year, the storm is probably signaling the beginning of a cool front that will last for a few hours :lol:

They close rides down if lightning is present, which is impossible to predict. Usually "scattered storms" are light showers, nothing too major, especially at 30% chance.

 

[justducky78]

I wouldn't be too worried. From my experience, it usually rains in the afternoons. At that's usually in mid-summer and the clouds come and go fairly quickly. 30% chance doesn't seem like much. And in April/May the average rain-fall is pretty low. Even in a downpour, we just throw on our yellow ponchos and enjoy the parks. People seem to leave the parks or hunker down somewhere, so the wait times for certain rides are shorter. Go and enjoy yourself -- you can't control the weather, so don't let it ruin your trip! Have fun! :wave:

 

[Connor002]

They close rides down if lightning is present, which is impossible to predict.

Not true; however, it is true that Disney does not have the equipment for it.

 

[Victoria]

If the forecast says Scattered T-storms or a 30% chance of rain, does that really affect a whole day at the park? When do rides close due to the weather? Are the rain storms long or are they really short? The reason I'm asking is because I'll be down at WDW on Friday and a few days in the forecast predicts scattered storms. I will be SOOO upset if storms ruin my days at the parks. :brick: Should i not worry about this too much?

Dont worry about it. There are only a few rides that close down in the rain, one being Test Track at Epcot. I can think of too many others right now... Im not native to Florida but in my experience t-storms tend to be short. 90% of attractions in WDW are inside so it wont be a big deal. I find either Epcot or MGM to be my two favorite raint day parks. Just grab some ponchos and you will be in good shape. Forget about umbrellas...they are a hassle and dont do well in wind.

 

[DMC-12]

however, it is true that Disney does not have the equipment for it.

For what? For monitoring the weather? I disagree. When I did the Illuminations Cruise back in DEC, they were thinking about cancelling it on us. They were watching the weather (lightning, front moving in,... etc). And at the last min, they gave us the ok... and said it was going to be fine. However... as soon as Illuminations ended... the downpour and lightning really started. So it worked out perfect. :wave:

 

[Connor002]

For what? For monitoring the weather?

No, for monitoring lightning strikes. A warning system of sorts. I've seen it used before...

 

[DMC-12]

No, for monitoring lightning strikes. A warning system of sorts. I've seen it used before...

Ah gotcha. :wave: I've seen it as well. Neat system.

 

[ToTBellHop]

You can monitor them, but you can't predict them. It's impossible to predict any weather 100%.

 

[KumbaRider]

You'll be fine. Scattered showers just means there is a chance of rain in certain areas.

 

[GoofBall06]

thanks guys! :wave:

 

[Yellow Shoes]

No, for monitoring lightning strikes. A warning system of sorts. I've seen it used before...

I've been given the impression that our school system has some sort of lightning detector that they use at outdoor sports events.

If we have such a thing (if it really does exist), I cannot imagine that WDW doesn't.

That said....as others have pointed out, lightning doesn't affect many attractions, so it doesn't really matter too much.

 

[Connor002]

It's impossible to predict any weather 100%.

Of course, ask any meteorologist. :lol:

You can monitor them, but you can't predict them.

I beg to differ. If I'm remembering how the system works, a few small stations are set up in high areas, and measure the particle charge in the air. According to how much is detected, it can be approximated if a lightning strike is about to occur. The one I had witnessed (At Knobles, a rather small amusement park in PA) would sound an alarm horn about a minute or two in advance, and was fairly accurate, as far as I could tell.

 

[Connor002]

I've been given the impression that our school system has some sort of lightning detector that they use at outdoor sports events.

If we have such a thing (if it really does exist), I cannot imagine that WDW doesn't.

I don't believe the technology is at 100%, so I could see why they wouldn't invest in the system.

 

[dandaman]

See, this is why I'm debating whether to have an actual career as a meteorologist or not: No matter what happens, people won't like you. :lol: