Disney World Currently in Projected Cone for Tropical Storm Fred

The weather in Central Florida can be unpredictable, but one thing we can plan for ahead of time is hurricanes.

©FOX Hurricane Names

Central Florida can be significantly impacted by hurricanes and tropical storms, which will definitely affect your vacation. Theme parks will usually only shut down if the the storm is severe enough, and places like Disney World are prepared and ready to hunker down and ride out a storm. Hurricane Elsa moved toward Orlando earlier this summer, and now we have another storm potentially headed our way.

The sixth named storm of the season, Tropical Storm Fred, formed Tuesday night and could potentially impact Central Florida, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

©The National Hurricane Center

Right now, the storm is near the Dominican Republic with maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour and is moving west-northwest at 16 miles per hour, according to the National Hurricane Center.

©The National Hurricane Center

The storm’s 5-day forecast is currently covering South Florida, with the center of the storm near the Florida Keys Saturday as a tropical storm with 45 miles per hour sustained winds and 60 miles per hour gusts. Before approaching Florida, Fred will have to move through Hispaniola, which could weaken the storm, or at least cause it not to get more intense. It should stay a tropical storm rather than forming into a hurricane.

©Orlando Sentinel

Models, which are subject to change, show Florida being impacted by Fred starting Friday and over the weekend. Right now, it looks like the storm will move through close to South Florida and work toward the Gulf of Mexico.

©The National Hurricane Center

It is too early right now to determine what will definitely happen with the storm, but it is best to be prepared in case Fred does significantly impact Florida. It currently looks like the biggest thing that will happen in Central Florida is a bigger chance of rain, but it’s too early to determine if wind will also be an issue.

UPDATE: Below is an updated forecast as of August 12th at 8AM EDT from the National Hurricane Center.

As WESH 2 News explains, the storm weakened to a tropical depression overnight. But, the system is expected to “slowly strengthen before impacting Florida.” Fred is expected to be near the Florida Keys and south Florida on Saturday. According to the National Hurricane Center’s 5AM advisory, heavy rainfall is expected to impact Florida this weekend into next week, and there is a risk of tropical storm conditions beginning early Saturday in the Florida Keys and South Florida.

The Hurricane Center has noted, “These conditions are expected to spread northward along portions of the Florida west coast and the Florida Panhandle through Monday.”

We’ll keep you updated with any developments.