Dangerous Heat Returns to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort as Heat Index Rises

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Another day in Orlando, another heat advisory.That sentence has been true for most of this month, and the repetition is exactly the problem. When something happens often enough, people stop treating it as a warning and start treating it as background noise. We covered an advisory on August 11 with an index reaching 110. We covered another on August 12 that hit 112 with extreme HeatRisk forecast through the weekend. Two days ago we covered another one in the same 108 to 112 range.This August has been genuinely dangerous for anyone visiting Central Florida theme parks, and the danger does not decrease because the advisories became routine.Heat exhaustion and heat stroke send people to first aid at these parks every summer. Sun poisoning does too, and it catches visitors from cooler climates who underestimate what direct Florida sun does over eight hours.Today brings another advisory, and this one comes with an additional complication.Today’s Heat AdvisoryCentral Florida is under another Heat Advisory this afternoon.The advisory covers Lake, Volusia, Seminole, Orange, Brevard, Osceola, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Okeechobee Counties. Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World Resort sit within Orange and Osceola.It is in effect this afternoon and early evening, with impacts greatest from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern.The heat index today will run 108 to 112 degrees. Actual high temperatures land in the mid 90s, with widespread moderate to major heat risk.Friday is expected to be only a few degrees cooler.Credit: Inside The MagicStorms Are the New Variable TodayThis is what separates today from the rest of the week.Storms this afternoon and evening will be capable of strong wind gusts up to 55 mph.There may also be frequent lightning, which could lead to the closure of many attractions at the theme parks.That is worth planning around. Outdoor attractions and water rides close during lightning, and at both resorts that can mean a significant portion of the park going down at once. If storms roll through during your afternoon, expect indoor attractions to fill fast.