Tropical Storm Watch in effect for Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World

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Disney World Rain

A Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect for Central Florida including Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World.

As of 2 pm today the National Hurricane Center has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for the counties of Orange and Osceola where Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World are located.

Related – Crowds descend on the Magic Kingdom ahead of Hurricane Ian

Tropical Storm Watch in effect for Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.


At 200 PM EDT (1800 UTC), the center of Hurricane Ian was located near latitude 19.7 North, longitude 83.0 West. Ian is moving toward the north-northwest near 13 mph (20 km/h). A turn toward the north with a slightly slower forward speed is expected on Tuesday. A turn
toward the north-northeast with a further reduction in forwarding speed is forecast on Wednesday. On the forecast track, the center of Ian is expected to move near or over western Cuba tonight and early Tuesday. Ian will then emerge over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday, pass west of the Florida Keys late Tuesday, and approach the west coast of Florida on Wednesday into Thursday.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 85 mph (135 km/h) with higher gusts. Rapid strengthening is expected during the next day or so, and Ian is forecast to become a major hurricane tonight or early Tuesday when it is near western Cuba and remain a major
hurricane over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km).

Related – What to do if a Hurricane hits during your Disney World Vacation

Governor Ron Desantis released a statement on the Updates on State Preparedness for Hurricane Ian:

Hurricane Ian became a Category 1 hurricane this morning and is projected to continue strengthening into a major hurricane this week. Tropical-storm force winds may begin as soon as tonight in the Florida Keys and southern Florida. Regardless of Ian’s exact track and intensity, there is a significant risk of life-threatening storm surge, hurricane-force winds, and heavy rainfall along the west coast of Florida and the Florida Panhandle by the middle of this week.

  • Following Governor DeSantis’ authorization, a total of 5,000 Florida Guardsmen are being activated to State Active Duty and pre-positioned at armories across the state for Tropical Storm Ian response operations. Two thousand Guardsmen from Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina are also being activated to assist.
  • The Florida National Guard is currently supporting missions including staffing and supporting the State Logistics Response Center (SLRC) in Orlando.
  • In addition, the Florida Guard has mobilized and is on standby with five Route Clearance Teams and Aviation assets.
  • The Florida National Guard is well-equipped, with assets including high-wheeled vehicles, helicopters, boats, generators and more.

For more on the State Preparedness for Hurricane Ian click here.

Right now all eyes are on Hurricane Ian and which direction it will take. If you have a Disney or Universal trip planned for this week you will want to keep an eye on this storm.


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Chip is the owner, editor, and writer of Chip and Company. When he is not writing about Disney News or Planning Tips, you will find him counting down the days to his next Disney Vacation.
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