Hurricane Ian Nearing Cat 5 Strength – Disney World Weather Update

Latest Update: 9/30/22 8:57 pm EDT – Disney World Theme Parks Return to Normal Operation Saturday

Published: 9/28/22 8:43 am EDT
Previous Updates: 9/28/22
12:38 pm EDT – Disney World Guests Hunker Down as Hurricane Ian Makes Landfall
6:02 pm EDT – Hurricane Ian Makes Landfall, Passing Through Disney World Area Tonight
11:30 pm EDT – Storm Center Moves into Disney World County
Previous Updates: 9/29/22
9:03 am EDT – VIDEO: Record Flooding Hits Central Florida — Disney World Status Update
12:20 pm EDT – Ian Leaving Florida, But Storm Still Rages in Orlando Area
7:10 pm EDT – Disney World, Disney Cruise Line Assess Damage Reopening Plans
Previous Updates: 9/30/22
8:47 am EDT – Storm has Passed – Disney World, Universal, MCO Begin Reopening
12:34 pm EDT – Post-Storm Update: Crowds Return to Parks, Disney World Weekend Weather Forecast

Hurricane Ian jumped from a Category 3, with sustained winds of 120 mph, to a Category 4 with winds of 155 mph overnight, as the Guests and residents of Central Florida brace for impact.

Over a foot of rain and a risk of major flooding are expected for the area of Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and the rest of Central Florida, including the Orlando Metro Area.

The National Hurricane Center’s latest advisory states,

This general motion with a reduction in forward speed is forecast today, followed by a turn toward the north on Thursday. On the forecast track, the center of Ian is expected to move onshore within the hurricane warning area later this morning or early afternoon. The center of Ian is forecast to move over central Florida tonight and Thursday morning and emerge over the western Atlantic by late Thursday. Maximum sustained winds remain near 155 mph (250 km/h) with higher gusts. Ian is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Ian is forecast to make landfall on the west coast of Florida as a catastrophic hurricane. Weakening is expected after landfall.

Breaking News: #Ian Intensifying

Ian is just 2 mph away from being a category 5. It is a category 4 right now with winds of 155 mph. pic.twitter.com/A6LRRGv3Il

— Chris Gilson 📺 🌤️ (@GilsonWeather) September 28, 2022

As we previously reported, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and the other Theme Parks have already closed their Theme Parks for the day. Some more vulnerable lodging options like Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground have also been closed by Disney, and all straggling Resort Hotel Guests need to be checked in by 3:00 pm today.

The worst conditions are expected to arrive later tonight. Power outages are expected.

There have been a lot of comparisons made between Ian and another major hurricane that hit the Disney World area 18 years ago, Charley. Here are the biggest difference from the Deputy Director of the Hurricane Center: Ian is bigger and slower. That means longer exposure to a lot more rain and wind. And the deputy director tells those in Central Florida that the flooding and heavy rains are the biggest concerns for the area.

Here’s the full interview with WESH2 Meteorologist Eric Burris.

I just spoke to the deputy director of the hurricane center.

Take a listen to what he has to say…https://t.co/5pYFGWtlk0

— Eric Burris (@EricBurrisWESH) September 28, 2022

As we previously reported, Orlando International Airport will be closed to all non-emergency air traffic at 10:30 am today.

Over at Port Canaveral, Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wish announced that it would not return home on Friday, expending its current cruise and causing the cancellation of the sailing set to embark on Friday afternoon.

Disney World Weather Update

Read More: What Happens When a Hurricane Threatens Disney World? Here’s What to Know

Turning specifically towards the Disney World area outside Kissimmee. A hurricane warning is still in effect. Hurricane-force conditions are expected to arrive in the area. Tornado Warnings are also in effect for Orange County.

The worst of the storm is still expected to hit today and Thursday. There is still some speculation on where the eye is exactly going to be, but Tropical Storm force winds AT LEAST should be expected with, again, a LOT of rain.

 

Between today and Friday, the Disney World Area is supposed to get over a foot of rain as this storm moves heavily and slowly over the peninsula.

Disney World Transportation is now closed except for limited Minivan and Taxi service for pre-existing breakfast reservations. Disney World Guests should be ready to shelter in place as soon as possible.

We at Disney Fanatic will continue to update our readers on Hurricane Ian and its impact on Central Florida as more developments come to light throughout the day.

Previous Coverage

• Hurricane Ian Set to Make Landfall, Still Locked on Disney World Area
• Hurricane Ian Eyes Orlando, Disney World Confirms Multi-Day Park Closure
• Ian Still Cat 3, Disney World Under Hurricane Watch
• Ian Now a Category 3, Disney World Still Open Today
• Ian to Become Major Hurricane, Disney Theme Parks Still Opening
• Hurricane Ian Now Category 2, Could Still Hit Disney World
• Hurricane Ian Strengthens, Disney World Under Tropical Storm Watch
• Hurricane Ian Forms in Caribbean — Disney World Weekly Forecast
• Tropical Storm Ian Building Strength, Turning Closer to Disney World
• TS Ian Still Low and Slow, But Some Tracks Stay Over Disney World
• Path to Panhandle Narrows, Disney World Still at Risk
•  Ian Still Tropical Storm, Still Moving West
• Ian to Become Hurricane Sunday, Biden Cancels Disney World Visit
• Ian to Become Category 4 Hurricane, DeSantis Expands State of Emergency
• Path Moves Slightly West, Cape Canaveral Begins Preparations
• Tropical Storm Ian Grows, Disney World County Starts Storm Prep
• Tropical Storm Ian Forms, Category 2 Hurricane Now Expected to Reach Disney World Area
• DeSantis Declares State of Emergency, MCO Issues Update for Travelers
• Hurricane Likely to Hit Florida as Category 3
• Hurricane Likely to Form, Head for Florida
• Going to Disney World Next Week? Might Want to Start Watching the Weather