WDW Weather Forecast - December 31, 2007-Jan 16, 2008

**Strmchsr** · 12-02-2007, 02:57 PM

Each day in December, usually between 11 and 1 central time, I'll update this first post with the forecast, both long and short term. As a general rule, up to 7 days is a pretty accurate forecast, beyond that it's educated guessing and largely dependent upon how well the models are doing at that moment. If you have any specific weather questions or comments, even if it's for an area other than WDW, please post and I'll answer throughout the thread. I'll also post weather tidbits every so often. Without further delay, let's get to the forecast:

Weather at WDW - Updated Monday pm, December 31, 2007

A couple of isolated showers are out today and that will keep the high in the mid 70s. For tomorrow, the cold air begins to move in. The rain should be gone, but the high will be 65-67. That will occur in the morning and the temp will be falling throughout the day. Tomorrow's low will be upper 30s. Checking some data, Wednesday will be the coldest weather Orlando has had in about 5 years. The cold air is going to be blasting in, much stronger than earlier anticipated, with a high 47-49 and a strong north wind so the wind chill will be in the low 30s. The low for Wednesday will be 29-31. Fortunately, Florida temps moderate pretty quickly and by Thursday the high will be upper 50s with the low in the upper 30s. Friday will be partly cloudy with a very slim possibility of an isolated shower and a high 63-65 and a low in the low 40s. Saturday through Monday things look clear with highs 72-74 and lows in the mid 50s.

Moving into voodooland, Jan 8-9 look partly cloudy with very small chances of an isolated shower. It looks like most rain possibilities should stay south of Orlando, but it's not out of the question for something to come north, especially when looking at voodooland. Highs will be 76-78 both days. Jan 10 looks clear with a high in the upper 70s then a big storm system comes through Jan 11 with lots of rain. Again, I must caution you about these systems. Since mid November the GFS has been having a bad habit of showing systems really strong way into voodooland, but they fizzle as the time grows nearer. With La Nina in effect the main storm track stays well north of FL (and the rest of the SE, which is in the middle of a horrible drought). However, for now the models show rain, so I tell you what the models say with that caveat. The high on the 11th will be mid 70s. The high for the 12th will be mid 60s, but as things clear out Jan 13 will be much warmer with a southerly flow and a high in the upper 70s. Another big, even stronger, system is showing up for Jan 14, but see the warning above. It looks like another blast of cold air for Jan 15-16 with the highs back into the 50s.

Travel Impact

At 2:00 pm CST with low ceilings and snow Chicago is at a 75 min delay and Newark is at 1 hour due to wind. For tomorrow, all of the major cities surrounding the Great Lakes could face delays, as could Minneapolis. Minor east coast delays around NYC and Boston are also possible, but not too likely.

**mcb0420** · 12-02-2007, 03:17 PM

I hope you had a great trip. Thank you for the forecast.

**Lessie** · 12-02-2007, 07:54 PM

Welcome back! Thanks for the update on this week... hopefully the rain will hold off for Friday night's MVMCP!

**dundeehunter** · 12-03-2007, 08:58 AM

I'm watching the snowstorms and I'm getting worried about delays from Milwaukee. We just had 5-9inches on Saturday, but I have an hour drive to get to Milwaukee at 6:00am so that we fly out at 8:50am. Any word on Wednesday's weather? I've been watching local forecasts...once I get in the air, I hope all will be fine...because your forecast for this week is

**SurferStitch** · 12-03-2007, 11:44 AM

Yay!!!!

Weather looks awesome!!!!

I actually packed this weekend, and after looking at the forecast this morning, I have to dig back into the suitcases and take out some of the cold weather wear. I'm not going to need some of it now. I'm keeping the hoodies for cool mornings/evenings, but the heavy sweaters and some other things are going bye-bye.

**Strmchsr** · 12-03-2007, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by dundeehunter

I'm watching the snowstorms and I'm getting worried about delays from Milwaukee. We just had 5-9inches on Saturday, but I have an hour drive to get to Milwaukee at 6:00am so that we fly out at 8:50am. Any word on Wednesday's weather? I've been watching local forecasts...once I get in the air, I hope all will be fine...because your forecast for this week is

Right now Wednesday is still looking a little iffy for Milwaukee. It's hard to say at the moment, but the latest models still show a pretty decent snow system Tuesday night through early Wednesday afternoon for most all of Wisconsin. If you're able, I might recommend driving to the airport motel on Tuesday to avoid the risk of getting stuck and missing your flight Wednesday morning.

**baby minnie's mommy** · 12-10-2007, 11:55 AM

Thanks for the forecast! Welcome back from your trip!
Looks like nice weather for us when we go!

**gauvin4** · 12-12-2007, 08:20 AM

Thanks for the updates Chris. I am watching this thread very closely as we are headed down on the 19th. I know we are still a week away but the weather is looking good so far.

We will be leaving Portland, ME. Do you see any problems for the 19th?

**Strmchsr** · 12-12-2007, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by gauvin4

We will be leaving Portland, ME. Do you see any problems for the 19th?

Right now, no, I don't see any issues with your flight down on the 19th, but keep checking.

**Jeff** · 12-12-2007, 12:40 PM

Thanks for the report. I hope your Christmas Week forecast is accurate!

**gauvin4** · 12-12-2007, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by Strmchsr

Right now, no, I don't see any issues with your flight down on the 19th, but keep checking.

I will be watching this thread very closely. Thanks for all you do!

**AbeeNormal** · 12-15-2007, 11:19 PM

Do you take request's ?

Just kidding

I'm hoping for no rain on the 4th of Jan. I have a surprise petty experience planned for DH's birthday that day and rain would be a big bummer.

Anyway, thanks so much for keeping us all updated.

**Strmchsr** · 12-17-2007, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by AbeeNormal

Do you take request's ?

I'm just in public relations, but I'll be glad to send a memo to management about your request.

**ibrowse17** · 12-17-2007, 03:00 PM

We are leaving tomorrow for Disney, so hope you are right

**AbeeNormal** · 12-18-2007, 06:13 PM

OK I think I'm gonna be

. Is it really going to be wet on the 3rd of January!?!

I really want my Dh's B-day present to work out. I've never been able to surprise him after 12 years of marriage & now I think I'm the one who's going to get the big surprise. ( No Petty Experience)

Sorry to

I'm just

**Strmchsr** · 12-18-2007, 06:40 PM

Relax. As I always say, once we're out past 7 days I'm not really giving a forecast. I'm just reporting what the models say that day. Yes, there will probably be a storm system around that time. Will it mess up your surprise? It's honestly too early to tell right now. For the last month the models have been showing a big storm system WAY out, but by the time it actually comes through the reality is much weaker. So, until we get within 7 days don't sweat it. By then the picture becomes much clearer and more accurate. I only go beyond 7 days to give folks a general idea of the pattern. If it makes you feel any better, I just checked the 18z run that just finished and now Jan 1-2 look wet, but Jan 3 looks clear. It'll change a million times before we actually get in the "safe zone" of 7 days.

**AbeeNormal** · 12-18-2007, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by Strmchsr

Relax. As I always say, once we're out past 7 days I'm not really giving a forecast. I'm just reporting what the models say that day. Yes, there will probably be a storm system around that time. Will it mess up your surprise? It's honestly too early to tell right now. For the last month the models have been showing a big storm system WAY out, but by the time it actually comes through the reality is much weaker. So, until we get within 7 days don't sweat it. By then the picture becomes much clearer and more accurate. I only go beyond 7 days to give folks a general idea of the pattern. If it makes you feel any better, I just checked the 18z run that just finished and now Jan 1-2 look wet, but Jan 3 looks clear. It'll change a million times before we actually get in the "safe zone" of 7 days.

Stormchaser, I didn't mean to sound like a blubbering idiot

. Thanks for the kind words. I'll keep my chin up, so no worries.

**MinnieMommie** · 12-28-2007, 07:57 AM

I'll be arriving on 1/14 so will keep my eyes on your VDL extended forcast. I have had some bad (and good) weather while visiting in January but am hopeful for the best.

**Jenemmy** · 12-28-2007, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by Strmchsr

I'm just in public relations, but I'll be glad to send a memo to management about your request.

LOL -- I have been making appeals to "management" about weather for my upcoming trip. We are getting close to having my dates in the forecast!! I really appreciate you taking the time to do this for us!