Update: Tropical Storm Fred has been downgraded to Tropical Depression.

It’s hurricane season in Florida, and we’ve already seen 5 major storms come and go this year.

Rainy day at Disney

As many people can agree, “a rainy day in Disney is better than a rainy day at home,” but that doesn’t mean you should travel all the way to Disney World without a little preparation. We have an update for you on the latest tropical storm, currently in the Dominican Republic area.

According to meteorologists, Tropical Storm Fred will move up towards Florida on Thursday, and experts don’t predict that Fred will upgrade to anything beyond a tropical storm in that time. Either way, all signs point to a strong possibility of heavy rain arriving in the Orlando area in the coming days. 

Here are the 5 AM AST Aug 11 Key Messages for Tropical Storm #Fred, which is currently approaching the Dominican Republic. More information: https://t.co/vbprzkjSVW pic.twitter.com/wtsCfTo0TR

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 11, 2021

As you can see in this map, courtesy of the National Hurricane Center, the 5-day forecast for Tropical Storm Fred shows the storm moving up through South Florida and into the Central Florida area between Sunday and Monday. 

©The National Hurricane Center

While it may be too early to fully map out the outcome of Tropical Storm Fred, it’s best to prepare for lots of rain and moisture this weekend if you’re headed to Central Florida.

Downpour in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

UPDATE: According to the 2PM update from the National Hurricane Center, as shared by the Orlando Sentinel, forecasts still show a path for Tropical Storm Fred toward Florida by this weekend. As of around 2PM, the forecast cone still covers Florida with the storm’s center projected to be near the Florida Keys on Saturday as a tropical storm.

©National Hurricane Center

Because the storm is set to take aim at Hispaniola, some have indicated that the storm may weaken due to Hispanola’s mountainous terrain.

UPDATE: Overnight, Tropical Storm Fred was downgraded to a Tropical Depression, which yields wind speeds of 39 miles per hour and below. The National Hurricane Center is still predicting heavy rains in Florida beginning this weekend and through next week. It is possible that Fred could meet conditions to be upgraded to a Tropical Storm once it hits the Florida Keys.

Tropical Depression #Fred has moved back over water between Cuba, Haiti, and the southeastern Bahamas. Here are the 5 am EDT Key Messages. pic.twitter.com/5HRxVXft9K

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 12, 2021

We’ll continue to keep you updated as Tropical Storm Fred moves up the Gulf of Mexico and closer to Orlando, so stay tuned to DFB for more news and information.

Check out how to prepare for the 2021 hurricane season at Disney World

Have you ever been to Disney during a hurricane? Let us know in the comments!