Disney World’s home turf of Florida may be known as the Sunshine State, but a more apt nickname might be the extreme weather state. 

From hurricanes to heat and humidity to rain that would make Seattle look like the Sahara, you never know exactly what kind of weather you’re going to get when you travel to Disney World. And, over the years, we’ve been in the parks to experience some pretty INTENSE weather (with some storms so bad that Disney has actually CLOSED the parks entirely), but what’s the most EXTREME we’ve ever seen? Let’s buckle up and find out! 

Temperature

The chance to meet Mickey Mouse, ride attractions, and snack like it’s nobody’s business are all great reasons to look forward to a Disney trip, but if you’re from any climate north of Florida really, you’ve probably also looked forward to a trip knowing that you’ll be escaping to the warm weather — even in the summer! But, all that sunshine can sometimes make Disney World feel like Death Valley!

In fact, sometimes the temperature can really surprise you during the trip! While most park-goers think of Florida summer weather hovering in the 80-90 degree range with temperatures only dipping to the 70s in the winter, there’s actually been quite a bit more fluctuation over the years.

In terms of extreme temperatures, the highest recording ever at Disney World was 102 degrees, and the lowest was 17 degrees. That’s a pretty HUGE window! 

Normally, though, we can count on the average temp in peak winter to be around 70 degrees during the day, and 50 degrees at night, while the average temp in peak summer is around a high of 91 degrees and a nighttime low of 75 degrees. 

That all sounds pretty comfortable for the most part, but you can’t forget about that summertime humidity! It can be pretty hefty in peak summer, with an average of 61%, though, it’s not uncommon to see that number reach 100%. So, your weather app may say that it’s only 91 degrees, but it can feel much hotter than that.

Okay, so what about the opposite end of the spectrum? Has it ever snowed in Disney World aside from snoap (Disney World’s artificial snow)?

While it HAS snowed at other Disney parks, like Disneyland Paris and Shanghai Disneyland, there hasn’t really been any hard evidence that it’s ever snowed for REAL in Disney World, despite the fact that temps CAN dip below freezing! You might still wanna bring a coat in winter anyway, though. 

You may not have to worry about bundling up in snowsuits to make your way down Main Street, U.S.A., but in rare instances, severe thunderstorms in Disney World have caused hail. In fact, one shocking bit of extreme weather came in the spring of 2020, when central Florida actually recorded some temporary drought conditions! 

Of course, drought in a state that commonly sees a ton of rain is QUITE a rarity!

Click HERE to Learn How To Choose The BEST Masks for Summer in Disney World!

Rain

Speaking of rain, let’s get INTO IT. 

More so than any other weather phenomenon, Disney World is known for its RAIN, and despite Florida’s sunny moniker, the state is actually quite wet! Although most rain in Disney World is just a sprinkle or a quick afternoon shower, it’s pretty rare to visit the parks for an extended period of time and NOT need a rain jacket. 

The average annual rainfall in Disney World is about 49.9 inches, with significant rainfall occurring about 84 days out of the year. The rainiest month is July, with about 7.6 inches of rainfall, while the driest months are November and December, which only see about two inches each. 

But, how bad does it REALLY get when it rains at Disney World? The most obvious impacts are on outdoor rides that close, like Test Track, The Barnstormer, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Expedition Everest, Slinky Dog Dash, and somewhat weirdly, Splash Mountain. 

Other attractions, like Kali River Rapids and Jungle Cruise, might only close if there’s lightning in the area. But in general, if there’s rain, chances are the ONLY safe bets will be indoor rides. 

Also, FLOODING can occur when the weather REALLY rolls in! While there’s always a chance that something might flood from the daily mid-afternoon downpour in the summertime, we’ve actually seen some more severe flooding roll through. In fact, in 2020, a flood watch was issued during Tropical Storm Elsa for the Disney World area, and in 2021 we were in Magic Kingdom during a particularly bad storm that made Tomorrowland look like the monsoon scene in Jumanji!

The Disney Parks are pretty well constructed to handle the heavy rainfall and eliminate any dangerous puddles pretty quickly after a storm passes. Plus, Cast Members are typically quick to section off any areas of standing water to keep guests safe. But, you’ll want to take on the parks with a bit more caution if a particularly bad storm hits while you’re visiting.

Hurricanes

Here’s a fun fact — Disney World has been classified by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as one of the SAFEST places to stay in the U.S. during a hurricane! But, here’s a less fun fact — hurricanes DO still happen here.

Although Disney World was designated as a “Storm Ready” destination, it’s still good to know what to expect, and how EXTREME things can get around here. According to Orlando weather reports, Florida sees an average of 12 named storms per year, including six hurricanes, and up to three major hurricanes. Though, it’s important to keep in mind that most of the biggest storms don’t impact the Disney World area too much. 

So, when exactly should you be worried about your Disney World trip overlapping with a hurricane? Well, the NOAA classifies hurricane season as the period in a year from June through November when hurricanes usually form in the Atlantic Ocean. This is when storms have the highest likelihood of impacting Disney World. 

Far more than mere rain, hurricanes can be pretty intense. It’s a tropical cyclone capable of HEAVY rain, strong winds, lightning, thunder, tornados, and flooding. So, it can be comforting to know that Disney World is generally a safe place to ride it out, though it can be best to reevaluate your travel plans if a hurricane is predicted during your travel window.

Disney’s website states, “If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area—or for your place of residence—within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date, you may call in advance to reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney Travel Company Disney Resort Hotel Package and most room only reservations (booked directly with Disney) without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney.“ So, you have some flexibility and CAN cancel or reschedule your trip to avoid the severe weather and any impacts that could have on your travels.

Indeed, Disney World HAS been hit with a few hurricanes. Thanks to its location away from the coasts, none have ever done any significant damage, but hurricanes HAVE been responsible for closing the parks down in the past. For example, the Category 4 Hurricane Floyd was the first storm to shutter Disney World in 1999, when all the parks closed for the day on September 14. 

Next, Hurricane Charley closed the parks in 2004, with enough small damage to keep a few attractions shuttered a bit longer. Disney then closed once again a month later for two days thanks to Hurricane Frances. And THEN, later in September, Hurricane Jeanne closed the parks for the day on September 26th!

Needless to say, 2004 was a bit of a rough year when it comes to weather.

It wasn’t until more than a decade later when Hurricane Matthew (a whopping Category 5 storm), closed Disney World early on October 6th, as well as the next day. And, another recent hurricane to impact Disney World was Hurricane Irma in 2017, when the parks were closed at 9PM September 9th and remained closed until September 12th. 

The most recent example is Hurricane Dorian in 2019, when all the parks closed early on September 3rd, only to reopen the next day once the storm changed course. 

Though planning a Disney World trip between June and November certainly comes with the additional worry that a hurricane could threaten your vacation, there are a few things that you can do to plan ahead. For example, spend some extra time choosing the hotel for your vacation. Some Disney World hotels are pretty spread out and the only way to find food from your room is to walk outside and, while the likelihood that the resorts will still have electricity, running water, and food is pretty high no matter where you stay, choosing a hotel that doesn’t require going outside to reach amenities can be beneficial.

And, if you do happen to find yourself in Disney World during a hurricane, know that Disney will offer many of the resources and information that you need to weather the storm (like meal kits and notifications through the My Disney Experience app).

As you can see, the weather can get pretty EXTREME in Disney World! While it’s still the Most Magical (and one of the safest) Place on Earth for such extremes, it’s good to be aware of the forecast the next time you’re planning your trip! And, we’re always keeping track of the severe weather warnings that could impact your Disney World trip, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest!

Click HERE for 6 Tips for Planning a Disney World Trip During Hurricane Season!

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What’s the most extreme weather you’ve ever experienced in Disney World? Let us know in the comments!

The post The Most EXTREME Weather Ever Seen at Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog.