Update: Ian Still Tropical Storm, Still Moving West

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

Published: 9/25/22 8:45 am EDT
Previous Updates: 9/25/22
11:45 am EDT – Path to Panhandle Narrows, Disney World Still at Risk
5:41 pm EDT – TS Ian Still Low and Slow, But Some Tracks Stay Over Disney World
11:33 pm EDT – Topical Storm Ian Building Strength, Turning Closer to Disney World
Previous Updates: 9/26/22
9:00 am EDT – Hurricane Ian Forms in Caribbean – Disney World Weekly Forecast
11:39 am EDT – Hurricane Ian Strengthens, Disney World Under Tropical Storm Watch
5:34 pm EDT – Hurricane Ian Now Category 2, Could Still Hit Disney World
11:25 pm EDT – Ian Expected to Become Major Hurricane, Disney Theme Parks Still Opening
Previous Updates: 9/27/22
8:45 am EDT – Ian Now a Category 3, Disney World Still Open Today
11:34 am EDT – Ian Still Cat 3, Disney World Under Hurricane Watch
5:43 pm EDT – Hurricane Ian Eyes Orlando, Disney World Confirms Multi-Day Park Closure
11:27 pm EDT – Hurricane Ian Set to Make Landfall, Still Locked on Disney World Area
Previous Updates: 9/28/22
8:43 am EDT – Hurricane Ian Nearing Cat 5 Strength – Disney World Weather Update
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

 

The National Hurricane Center released its 8:00 am advisory on Tropical Storm Ian. Here are the latest updates and how they can affect Disney-bound readers.

NHC states,

“Ian is moving toward the west-northwest near 12 mph (19 km/h). A turn toward the northwest at a similar forward speed is expected later today, followed by a turn toward the north-northwest on Monday and north on Tuesday… Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts. Rapid strengthening is forecast to begin later today. Ian is expected to become a hurricane later today or tonight and reach major hurricane strength by late Monday or Monday night before it reaches western Cuba.”

Just like the previous advisory, the track remains further west with landfall now predicted north, northwest of Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and the rest of Central Florida. Due its slower speed, Ian is not expected to reach our vicinity until Thursday.

Tropical Storm force winds are now expected to arrive in the Central Florida area late Wednesday as it sits off the Tampa Bay at a Category 3 strength storm.

COFFEE TALK: Tropical Storm Ian expected to rapidly intensify today; Let's look at ALL the data… Join us! https://t.co/zf3i3o4uNP

— Eric Burris (@EricBurrisWESH) September 25, 2022

Because all of Central Florida remains within the “Cone of Uncertainty,” we advise that everyone in the area remain on alert as the days progress. However, we also want to reiterate that there is no safer place to be than a Walt Disney World Resort hotel to wait out any size storm.

I've seem many people yesterday say 'oh it's shifted west, we don't need to worry'.

Let me be very clear. If you're in the cone (just about all of us), you have an equal chance of having Ian cross over you.

The NHC is very transparent. They long range forecast is NOT set… pic.twitter.com/IYoEHBgm1L

— Eric Burris (@EricBurrisWESH) September 25, 2022

There is still no official word from either Walt Disney World Resort or Disney Cruise Line regarding any change in operations due to Tropical Storm Ian. Severe thunderstorms with tropical storm-forced winds should be expected in the latter half of this coming week for any Parkgoers.

It should also be noted that while Western Caribbean destinations like The Cayman Islands and Cozumel remain in the danger zone, the Eastern Caribbean remains clear, with the Port of Miami completely out of the cone. All immanent Disney Cruise Line Passengers should remain on alert for any last-minute changes to their itineraries.

We at Disney Fanatic will continue to monitor Tropical Storm Ian and how it looks to affect Disney vacations as more developments come to light.

Previous Coverage

• Ian to Become Hurricane Sunday, Biden Cancels Disney World Visit
• Ian to Become Category 4 Hurricane, DeSantis Expands State of Emergency
• Tropical Weather Update: 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
• Tropical Weather Update: DeSantis Declares State of Emergency, MCO Issues Update for Travelers
• Tropical Weather Update: Hurricane Likely to Hit Florida as Category 3
• Storm Update: Hurricane Likely to Form, Head for Florida
• Going to Disney World Next Week? Might Want to Start Watching the Weather