Walt Disney World faces a risk of strong to severe thunderstorms today, Monday, March 16, according to the National Weather Service.
Storms are expected between 1pm and 10pm, with the worst conditions likely during the afternoon and early evening hours - right in the middle of peak park time.
The primary threats are:
- Damaging wind gusts of 45-55 mph, with a 15% chance of gusts exceeding 60 mph
- Quarter-size hail, with a 5% chance of hail reaching 1 inch or larger
- Locally heavy rain and frequent lightning
Winds ahead of the front will already be gusty through mid-afternoon, with southerly gusts of 25-30 mph even outside of storm activity.
The cold front is expected to push through the Orlando area between 2pm and 4pm, with a broken line of storms sweeping southeast. That timing puts storms squarely in the path of the evening rush on I-4, and across the Walt Disney World resort during what would typically be the busiest hours of the day.
Disney's standard severe weather protocol suspends outdoor attractions, water rides, and resort pool operations when lightning is detected within a set radius. Extended delays or closures of outdoor attractions are likely if storms move through as forecast.
Later This Week
Tonight will turn sharply colder behind the front, with wind chills in the mid-to-upper 30s northwest of I-4 by Tuesday morning. Tuesday highs will run 20-25 degrees cooler than today.
Temperatures recover toward the end of the week, with a 70-80% chance of reaching 80°F or higher by the weekend under mostly sunny skies.
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