'Dangerous' Heat Index Expected for Disney World This Week

Summertime in Disney World means two things: crowded theme parks and high temperatures (plus the spontaneous afternoon rain shower).

Magic Kingdom

But with lots of things returning to Disney World right now (like tons of character meet and greets, and the popular Food and Wine Festival in EPCOT), the heat is not deterring many guests. If you’re heading to Disney World this week, remember to pack your sunscreen and hat, because much of Florida is currently in a heat advisory.

As of today, about 55.8 million people (17% of the contiguous United States population) live in areas where dangerous levels of heat are expected, according to the New York Times.

©The New York Times

The map above shows the heat index levels across the contiguous United States. Heat index is a measurement tool that gauges how hot it feels outside, taking into account things like humidity as well as temperature. It is then used to determine when and if the level of heat becomes too dangerous for the human body while in the shade. If you’re in the sun, you could “perceive that temperature as being up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit higher.”

The sun will, of course, make you hotter faster.

There are four colors that you’ll see on the above map. The lightest yellow, the one that’s almost white that you see in states like Washington and New York, is indicating areas that are not being affected by high heat at this time. The pale yellow found in states like Michigan and Indiana indicates “caution” with a heat index of 80 to 90 degrees.

The Disney World sun can be brutal.

The dark yellow indicates “extreme caution” with a heat index of 90 to 103 degrees. This color can be seen in parts of Florida and around much of the country. And finally, we have the orange color that is covering much of Florida, Texas, and even South Dakota. The orange color indicates “danger” and means that there is a heat index of 103 to 124 degrees. In this categorization, heat cramps or heat exhaustion is likely, with the possibility of heat stroke if the individual is outside for prolonged periods of time or is exercising outside.

The heat index is 103 to 124 degrees in the shade.

This high heat is expected to continue throughout the rest of this week. So what should you do if you’re heading to Disney World soon? The most important thing you can do for yourself to avoid the dangers of overheating is to make sure to stay hydrated. Drink lots of water by either bringing a refillable water bottle into the parks with you or taking advantage of the free water available at quick service locations in the parks. There are also water bottles available for purchase at many dining and merchandise locations.

Free water cup

It’s also important to wear sunscreen (and keep reapplying throughout the day), as well as take lots of breaks in the shade or, even better, indoors. You can also help yourself stay cool by wearing light, breathable clothing (this will also help you dry faster if you happen to get caught in a Disney downpour). We’ll be keeping an eye on the heat situation in Disney World, so make sure to stay tuned to AllEars for the latest!