The new year is off to an unexpectedly chilly start as an arctic blast sweeps across the Eastern U.S., even bringing freezing temps to Florida. While temperatures across the state have surely dropped, forecasters say there’s a slight chance that the cold snap can bring snow to some areas. That certainly doesn’t include South Florida, but it may be the case for the panhandle or Central Florida—home of Walt Disney World—where lows are set to plummet into the 20s.
So, what’s the likelihood of the magical theme park resort getting some snow? We’ll have to defer to the experts to see what’s in store.
What are the chances of it snowing in Disney World?
With multiple cold fronts in the forecast for the first weeks of 2025, the coldest temperatures can be expected from January 8 to 12. The National Weather Service had this to say about the expected temps in its area forecast discussion: “It is possible that some of the coldest temperatures to date could be experienced if this were to fully materialize and follow current model trends.”
While many meteorologists say that snow in Central Florida is unlikely, some say we shouldn’t write off the chances of it happening entirely, per People. There’s a slight chance of snowflakes, should conditions be favorable enough.
“The challenge with snow in Florida is that below-freezing temperatures are usually from a dry air mass so there’s not enough moisture to bring snow,” Robert Haley, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Melbourne, told the Tallahassee Democrat.
“If the blast is intense enough during the second week of January, then it’s possible some people in Florida can see some snowflakes,” AccuWeather senior meteorologist Michael Doll said, as reported by Florida Today. It’s still too early to forecast a definite outcome, but one thing’s for sure: you should still bundle up if Disney’s in your vacation plans!
Has it ever snowed at Walt Disney World?
It’s incredibly unlikely we’ll ever see the Central Florida park blanketed in snow, but it has seen its share of rare flurries! And we’re not talking about the “snoap” (snow + soap) falling on Main Street. U.S.A. during the holidays.
The last time Orlando saw the white stuff was in January 1977 — the same time snow fell over Miami for the first time! The event was one for the record books, as it brought flurries to South Florida as far as Homestead and accumulating snow to Orlando and Tampa. On that date, Orlando saw about 0.05 inches of snowfall.
According the Florida Climate Center, a light dusting of snow also fell in parts of Central Florida on January 2010, with sleet/snow reported in Orlando.
Will Disney World close as a result of the cold?
The park itself won’t be shutting down, but its water parks tend to close when the weather is on the chillier side. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is temporarily closed for the season and Blizzard Beach is currently open, though that could change if temperatures are low. Blizzard Beach already had its first closure of 2025 due to the cold front on Saturday, January 4. Guests are encouraged to check the Walt Disney World website for the most up-to-date information.
In the meantime, here in South Florida, we’re excited to enjoy the wintery weather and all the fun things to do as this cold front rolls around! We’ve already started planning our winter bucket lists, so you can start by checking off your favorite seasonal activities off!