Peak heat index to hit 112F at Walt Disney World theme parks this week

By WDWMAGIC Staff · Tuesday August 8, 2023 8:40am ET · "Severe Weather impacts to Walt Disney World"
Peak heat index to hit 112F at Walt Disney World theme parks this week

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August 8 heat Index warning

August 8 heat Index warning

The National Weather Service has issued a new warning for excessive heat to impact the Walt Disney World theme park areas this week.

August 8 heat Index warning
August 8 heat Index warning

Today's temperatures will reach the upper 90s, which, combined with high humidity, will produce heat index values of 108F to 112F.

The Weather Service advises, "If outside in this dangerous heat, stay hydrated and take frequent breaks as needed. NEVER leave children or pets in a vehicle unattended for ANY length of time."

The outlook for the coming week through Monday is that near to above-normal temperatures and high humidity will result in triple-digit heat index values, with peak heat indices forecast to exceed 105, potentially reaching up to 110 through much of the week.

In addition to the excessive heart impact, widely scattered afternoon lightning storms will continue to be possible through the next several days. Brief gusty winds to 45 mph along with torrential rainfall will be possible.

Conversation

182 comments
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DocAlan02Aug 08, 2023
Question about this: Our trips are often in mid-August, and this year is no exception. Unless I am remembering wrong, it is often mid-to-high 90s with a near-80 dewpoint when we are there. Is this something different? Or is this just warnings that didn't use to happen even though these weather conditions did?
Disstevefan1Aug 08, 2023
↩ replying to wdwmagic
monothingieAug 08, 2023
↩ replying to wdwmagic
Per the CEO, the parks will be completely empty today.

*UPDATE*
Picture of Main Street USA from this morning.
John park hopperAug 08, 2023
With sauna like conditions at WDW Bob has added a up-charge(59.99 to gate price) for WDW providing a health spa.
LilofanAug 08, 2023
Reedy Creek emergency services cast members will be busy with guest heat related illness surely in the parks.
JD80Aug 08, 2023
↩ replying to DocAlan02
Quick search shows that the AVG temperature in Orlando is 92 in August.
mktAug 08, 2023
↩ replying to Disstevefan1
All of the parks are dead right now, not just Disney.
AylaAug 08, 2023
↩ replying to DocAlan02
Correct.
AylaAug 08, 2023
↩ replying to JD80
Heat index and temp are not the same thing. It always feels like the surface of the sun in July/August in central FL.
SaucyBoyAug 08, 2023
↩ replying to DocAlan02
Stay safe if you're venturing down this week. Pack lots of water (ask for free iced water) and don't hesitate to take frequent breaks inside. Even as someone who lives in the South and is used to the heat, it can still take a toll on your body.

This link from the National Weather Service explains the different warning tiers for heat related weather events. https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat-ww

Excessive Heat Warning—Take Action! An Excessive Heat Warning is issued within 12 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions. The general rule of thumb for this Warning is when the maximum heat index temperature is expected to be 105° or higher for at least 2 days and night time air temperatures will not drop below 75°; however, these criteria vary across the country, especially for areas not used to extreme heat conditions. If you don't take precautions immediately when conditions are extreme, you may become seriously ill or even die.
mktAug 08, 2023
Ironically, this was yesterday afternoon in my car:
LilofanAug 08, 2023
↩ replying to mkt
I learned the hard way, went to the gym , locked my wallet and phone in my glove compartment. Not going to do that again to my iPhone .
DocAlan02Aug 08, 2023
↩ replying to SaucyBoy
I understand what the warnings mean. I just don't remember seeing them for previous August trips, even though it looks like the same conditions. Just curious as to what changed.
LilofanAug 08, 2023
↩ replying to SaucyBoy
I think its insanity to be in the parks with 112 heat index, just putting one's body in jeopardy of a heat related illness.
SaucyBoyAug 08, 2023
↩ replying to DocAlan02
It means in your previous trips, that although it may been hot, the heat index temperature was not 105 degrees for at least two days. These warnings are not new and have been around for years.
View all 182 comments on the Forums →

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