If you visit Disney World or plan on getting onboard a Disney Cruise Line ship, one thing you’ll need to be aware of ahead of your vacation is the weather, especially this time of year.

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That’s because it’s hurricane season and tropical storms and hurricanes could affect the weather in Florida (to the point that Disney World closes), as well as weather in the Atlantic Ocean, which would affect cruises with itineraries there. Well, right now, Hurricane Erin has been upgraded to a Category 5 storm in the Atlantic Ocean, which you’ll need to know about if you’re planning on visiting the Florida coast or taking a cruise to the Caribbean.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Erin is now a Category 5 storm, which is capable of causing massive damage, as well as significant risk to life and property. The hurricane is expected to continue to strengthen today, “followed by fluctuations in intensity through the weekend.”

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UPDATE: Hurricane Erin is now a Category 5 Hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph.

August 16: 11:20AM AST @53rdWRS find #Erin is now a Category 5 Hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph. Visit https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb for the latest pic.twitter.com/dEZuREiUa3

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 16, 2025

The National Hurricane Center is also predicting that swells generated by the hurricane will affect portions of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and the Turks and Caicos Islands through the weekend. Those swells will spread to the Bahamas, Bermuda, and the east coast of the United States early next week. This will create ocean conditions that could cause life-threatening surf and rip currents. 

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This means that if you’re taking a cruise in that part of the Atlantic Ocean — including the August 16th Disney Treasure sailing — you may have already received communication from your cruise company that your cruise will be detoured to avoid the storm, changing your cruise itinerary. If you are setting sail soon, you’ll want to make sure you stay updated on how the hurricane could affect your vacation.

Stay tuned to DFB for more.

7 Hurricane Season Tips from a Disney World Expert Who Lives in Florida

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Will Hurricane Erin affect your travel plans? Share with us in the comments!