When they are that far out it does not matter where you look. You might as well throw darts at forecasts while blindfolded.
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Thunderstorms
- Thread starter twinmom34
- Start date
Disney4family
Well-Known Member
They probably do that and wet their finger and hold it up in the air.
I know it's silly. Sorry. Insanity kicks in a week before a trip.
Arthur Wellesley
Well-Known Member
The only certainty you can count on during this time of year in Florida is heat, and plenty of it.
Disney4family
Well-Known Member
Yup. People who roll their eyes at my going yet again comment on the heat ( not that they've ever gone to WDW). I tell them with a smile that it's because it's Orlando, not Anchorage.
Dead2009
Horror Movie Guru
I dunno i heard it got into the 90s up that way a few weeks ago.
Disney4family
Well-Known Member
blueboxdoctor
Well-Known Member
I've been there in short rain bursts (as you mentioned, no big deal, I didn't bother with a poncho, just took advantage of people searching for cover as I strolled on a few rides) and much longer rain (when I discovered all the rain collects down the little slope leading to the Splash Mountain entrance). If there's legitimate thunder and lighting then I'd probably suggest going into a store and traveling from store to store to stay inside (or go on inside rides) but if it's just an extended rain, I'd maybe still do the store hopping method, but at that point it's just rain/water, so I'd probably just keep moving on and deal with it (especially in the summer, rain is a great thing to help cool it off a little). But hopefully you'll just get some little rain bursts, even though I talked a big game about dealing with the rain, it still sucks if it's a long rain and you're in the park.
This just reminded me of when I decided to give my friends a scenic tour of the Polynesian on senior trip back in high school, and as soon as we got to the furthest point from the main building it starts to downpour, they were having none of it so we had to hop from building to building until we made it to the main building.
This just reminded me of when I decided to give my friends a scenic tour of the Polynesian on senior trip back in high school, and as soon as we got to the furthest point from the main building it starts to downpour, they were having none of it so we had to hop from building to building until we made it to the main building.
My wife and I were as WDW last September and I usually HATE when it rains (I don't like walking in wet shoes/socks). She went and bought me a pair of Mickey sandals, and it made me calm. We just threw on our ponchos and walked with our sandals. The park cleared out and it was one of the most memorable moments of our trip-splashing in puddles, walking in the rain, and seeing Fantasmic. It cleared out right before Fantasmic began and the amphitheater was near empty.
Rain is WDW is unavoidable for the most part, but find a way to make it comfortable for you, whether that means hiding inside, going back to the hotel, or throwing on a poncho.
Rain is WDW is unavoidable for the most part, but find a way to make it comfortable for you, whether that means hiding inside, going back to the hotel, or throwing on a poncho.
ItlngrlBella
Well-Known Member
It's weird but we actually enjoy watching some of the storms in Florida because the cloud formations are just spectacular and more frequent to what we get here at home (SE Wiscosnin).
This is the biggest excitement in a couple years - took this last Sunday night out our front door (here in Wisconsin):
Some of the storms themselves are shows unto themselves in Florida. The nice thing is it rarely goes for long periods and if you catch a supercell during a sunset - you have some great photo ops!
The accuweater app will show you real time rain - how many minutes until it comes to your exact location and until it ends. I'd use that and head for indoor attractions/shows/meals when you see rain heading your way. As long as you don't mind running your GPS on the phone it's amazingly accurate. Just bring a couple power stick/banks.
This is the biggest excitement in a couple years - took this last Sunday night out our front door (here in Wisconsin):
Some of the storms themselves are shows unto themselves in Florida. The nice thing is it rarely goes for long periods and if you catch a supercell during a sunset - you have some great photo ops!
The accuweater app will show you real time rain - how many minutes until it comes to your exact location and until it ends. I'd use that and head for indoor attractions/shows/meals when you see rain heading your way. As long as you don't mind running your GPS on the phone it's amazingly accurate. Just bring a couple power stick/banks.
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SAV
Well-Known Member
I was in Orlando last week and while it was a bit overcast most of the time, we did have a bit of rain each day. The most was on Tuesday when it was a good downpour for an hour or so.
It was a different story when we headed over to Clearwater Beach. In the 3 days we spent at the beach, I had 1 hour of sunshine. Otherwise it was just awful conditions. Lots of rain, wind and big waves crashing the beach. I guess there were a couple of times early in the morning it was a little sunny out, but we weren't at the beach at that time. The locals were saying this past Sunday was 20 days in a row of bad rain in the area...not just the quick rain and it goes away, but prolonged nasty rains. Saturday was a complete washout up and down the coast. We drove from CWB to St. Pete Beach and it got worse the further South we went. There was water all the way up to the footings of the Palm Pavilion which is quite a distance from the waterfront.
We actually left the Beach and went back to Orlando on our last day just to try and get a little more sun. It didn't work out entirely, but we had a perfect night at DTD...even though it did rain in the day .
It was a different story when we headed over to Clearwater Beach. In the 3 days we spent at the beach, I had 1 hour of sunshine. Otherwise it was just awful conditions. Lots of rain, wind and big waves crashing the beach. I guess there were a couple of times early in the morning it was a little sunny out, but we weren't at the beach at that time. The locals were saying this past Sunday was 20 days in a row of bad rain in the area...not just the quick rain and it goes away, but prolonged nasty rains. Saturday was a complete washout up and down the coast. We drove from CWB to St. Pete Beach and it got worse the further South we went. There was water all the way up to the footings of the Palm Pavilion which is quite a distance from the waterfront.
We actually left the Beach and went back to Orlando on our last day just to try and get a little more sun. It didn't work out entirely, but we had a perfect night at DTD...even though it did rain in the day .
Chef Mickey
Well-Known Member
You'll welcome the rain if it's the usual quick shower. It thins the park and cools things down temporarily. The humidity afterward can be a beating, but it's usually pretty humid anyway. Some relief from the high sun is really welcome.
I've been to Disney a bunch and have probably only seen "all day rain" 1 or 2 times. It's very rare for it to just rain and rain.
I've been to Disney a bunch and have probably only seen "all day rain" 1 or 2 times. It's very rare for it to just rain and rain.
Epcot-Rules
Well-Known Member
I know the feeling. I live in the panhandle of Florida. Every year my fish pond gets what seems like over a million tadpoles. They all come out as frogs at the same time. It is a sight to see. I could see how it could be mistaken in a downpour.
Epcot-Rules
Well-Known Member
bethymouse
Well-Known Member
Yep. Heat and humidity combined with cold fronts and changing weather means either rain showers or storms almost daily.
We love WDW in the rain!
Now.... the storms are a different story! One year they were so bad, we waited under an awning for nearly an hour! One other year, the storms were very severe, and we were stuck inside Pete's Silly Side Show for over an hour! But, the CMs gave out free samples of candy/.caramel coated apples!
We were also there on year during a tornado warning! A tornado actually hit at Universal, but thankfully missed WDW! We were under the veranda where in Adventureland near the Dole Whips, and the CM told us that they'd take us through the utilidoors if there was an actual tornado! That might have been cool!
Well... accuweather.com is pretty good.
Have fun, and don't worry about the weather! Even hurricanes can be a hoot when you're in WDW!
We love WDW in the rain!
Now.... the storms are a different story! One year they were so bad, we waited under an awning for nearly an hour! One other year, the storms were very severe, and we were stuck inside Pete's Silly Side Show for over an hour! But, the CMs gave out free samples of candy/.caramel coated apples!
We were also there on year during a tornado warning! A tornado actually hit at Universal, but thankfully missed WDW! We were under the veranda where in Adventureland near the Dole Whips, and the CM told us that they'd take us through the utilidoors if there was an actual tornado! That might have been cool!
Well... accuweather.com is pretty good.
Have fun, and don't worry about the weather! Even hurricanes can be a hoot when you're in WDW!
Victor Kelly
Well-Known Member
You have amazing timing and a beautiful picture.
ItlngrlBella
Well-Known Member
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Victor Kelly
Well-Known Member
I have rapid-fire photo-burst on my apple and God did the rest, but thank you.
Stop being humble.
kbmb
Active Member
What's even more frustrating is the percentages forecasters use. Some say it's the percentage chance of rain. Others say it's the percentage cover of rain. Pretty sure none of them really know
I see you are there now.....hope the weather has been nice. We leave Thursday and of course the weather looks to be wet.
-Kevin
I see you are there now.....hope the weather has been nice. We leave Thursday and of course the weather looks to be wet.
-Kevin
wdwjmp239
Well-Known Member
Living in Florida for 20-something years, thunderstorms in the summer are extremely common. There may be a day or two when there are no storms, but this is more likely to occur if you live along either the west or east coast of Florida. The thunderstorms in Florida can range from 15 mins (fast moving) upwards of an hour or so (slower moving). The best piece of advice is if you hear thunder, lightning is not too far from you. Once you hear thunder, go indoors and just hang out. Then, after the storm, wait about 30 minutes after the last thunderclap before venturing outside again.
In some cases, our thunderstorms can "back build" meaning that the storm that dumped rain on you 30 minutes ago collapses causing an outflow boundary (cooler air) that collides with a warmer air mass. When that happens, you'll get stormed on again. Sometimes, this can go on for an hour or so (we actually had a storm like that that lasted for 4 hours down here in Fort Myers - Southwest Florida - 3.5 hrs away from Disney). Just keep an eye to the sky at around 3pm and check your weather app (I use the Weather Bug app for the "Spark" app that shows where the closest lightning strike is - anything less than 30 miles from you is pretty close - get inside).
I wouldn't let our thunderstorm/rainy season get in the way of your fun! Enjoy the parks! If there's no thunder around - sometimes a quick rain shower is all you need to cool off.
In some cases, our thunderstorms can "back build" meaning that the storm that dumped rain on you 30 minutes ago collapses causing an outflow boundary (cooler air) that collides with a warmer air mass. When that happens, you'll get stormed on again. Sometimes, this can go on for an hour or so (we actually had a storm like that that lasted for 4 hours down here in Fort Myers - Southwest Florida - 3.5 hrs away from Disney). Just keep an eye to the sky at around 3pm and check your weather app (I use the Weather Bug app for the "Spark" app that shows where the closest lightning strike is - anything less than 30 miles from you is pretty close - get inside).
I wouldn't let our thunderstorm/rainy season get in the way of your fun! Enjoy the parks! If there's no thunder around - sometimes a quick rain shower is all you need to cool off.
wdwjmp239
Well-Known Member
What's even more frustrating is the percentages forecasters use. Some say it's the percentage chance of rain. Others say it's the percentage cover of rain. Pretty sure none of them really know
I see you are there now.....hope the weather has been nice. We leave Thursday and of course the weather looks to be wet.
-Kevin
I believe they use the words "areal coverage of rain" which is stupid because how do they know that 40% of the Lake Buena Vista/Orlando area is going to get rained on? I still see 40% as a 40% chance of getting rain.
I know the past couple of weeks have been a wash out for the Central Florida area and the weeks before, Southwest Florida got dumped on, as well. I know it's the rainy season down here but days upon days of rain? Yeah...I'm done. Bring in the winter, please........and a mop.