The National Weather Service in Melbourne has issued a Flood Watch covering the Walt Disney World area. The watch runs from 8:06pm tonight, Sunday, November 1, until 3pm on Monday, November 2.
The watch includes Orange and Osceola counties, where all four Walt Disney World theme parks, the water parks, Disney Springs, and the Disney resort hotels are located.
Planning a visit? Check the latest Walt Disney World weather forecast.
Areas Covered by the Flood Watch
The Flood Watch applies to these parts of east central Florida:
Orange County
Osceola County
Seminole County
Northern Lake County
Southern Lake County
Inland Volusia County
Coastal Volusia County
How Much Rain Is Expected
A disturbance from the Gulf is moving over Central Florida and pulling in very moist air. That’s producing bands of heavy rain that will continue overnight.
The ground is already close to saturated, so there’s less room for water to soak in. Forecasters expect:
1 to 3 inches of rain across most of the area
5 to 7 inches or more in some spots
Flash flooding where the heaviest rain falls
Rain chances are 70 to 80 percent from Orlando southward this evening. On Monday, inland areas, including the Disney area, have a 50 to 70 percent chance of rain.
Some storms may also bring lightning and wind gusts of 40 to 45 mph.
What This Means for Your Disney Visit
If you’re at Walt Disney World tonight or Monday, plan for wet conditions. Flooding is most likely in low-lying spots, areas with poor drainage, and urban areas, including parking lots and roadways.
A few things to keep in mind:
Allow extra travel time between parks and resorts, especially if you’re driving.
Avoid driving through standing water on roads.
Bring ponchos and waterproof bags for phones and park tickets.
Expect outdoor attractions to pause when lightning is nearby.
The National Weather Service says you should keep an eye on forecasts and watch for any Flood Warnings that may follow.
Monday’s high temperatures will sit in the upper 70s to low 80s, a little cooler than normal due to the clouds and rain.
When the Weather Improves
The disturbance is expected to stall over Florida late Monday into Tuesday, so moderate rain chances continue Tuesday.
A cold front will reach northern Florida early Thursday and cross Central Florida Thursday into Friday. Drier air will follow, dropping rain chances to 20 percent or less late in the week and into the weekend. Highs will be in the low to mid 80s.
If you’re visiting Walt Disney World this week, the second half looks much better for park days.
Check the latest Walt Disney World weather forecast.
WDWMAGIC Intelligence
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