Memorial Day travel forecast wet, cool

The Memorial Day weekend forecast is colliding with one of the busiest U.S. travel periods on record. The New York Times reported on May 22 that much of the country is expected to be wet and cool through the holiday weekend, while the West should be drier and closer to seasonal norms. AAA said 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday, May 21, and Monday, May 25, including 39.1 million by car and 3.66 million by air. The mix of rain, lower temperatures and holiday traffic is already shaping local warnings from the Northeast to parts of the Mountain West. ### Where is the holiday weather expected to be worst? The New York Times said the broadest stretch of unsettled weather is expected across much of the East and South, where rain and cooler conditions are likely to dominate much of the weekend. The same report said the West should be comparatively dry, with more typical late-May conditions. (midstates.aaa.com) AccuWeather and The Weather Channel published similar national outlooks this week, saying rain is likely for millions in the East and Southeast while much of the West and parts of the Midwest avoid the worst of the disruption. USA Today also said millions of Americans face a stormy holiday forecast. (article.wn.com) ### How many people are traveling anyway? AAA said this year’s Memorial Day forecast would set a holiday record, with 45 million people traveling at least 50 miles from home from May 21 through May 25. That total includes 39.1 million road travelers and 3.66 million domestic flyers, according to AAA’s forecast. Yahoo’s Memorial Day traveler guide, republished by AOL, said the total number of travelers would be up 0.4% from last year’s 44.8 million. (accuweather.com) The same guide warned that Monday traffic would be heavy for much of the day as holiday travelers return home. ### What does that mean for roads and airports? Monday, May 25, is expected to be the most congested part of the holiday period on highways as return traffic builds. 6abc, citing AAA, said the weekend is expected to bring record travel volume even with higher gas prices and airfares. (midstates.aaa.com) Rain adds another layer. CBS New York said ponding on roads may occur in the Tri-State area and warned of travel disruptions as roughly 2 inches of rain fall across the region, with some spots seeing as much as 4 inches before the weekend ends. (aol.com) ### Why are New York and New England getting singled out? CBS New York said Saturday through Monday in the Tri-State area would bring rainy weather and cool temperatures, describing it as a “soggy start to summer.” New Jersey outlets have also warned that totals of 1.5 to 2.5 inches could fall in parts of the state, with some temperatures dipping into the 40s. (6abc.com) (cbsnews.com) Cape Cod is also not expected to get typical beach weather. The Cape Cod Times said the forecast calls for cooler temperatures, clouds and rain after a brief stretch of heat earlier in the week. MassLive reported that rain is expected Sunday and Monday on the Cape. ### Are delays limited to the Northeast? (cbsnews.com) Utah officials warned on May 22 that Memorial Day travel could create road delays of up to 90 minutes in some areas, showing that congestion is not confined to the rainiest parts of the map. Regional forecasts in Pennsylvania and North Carolina have also pointed to cool, damp conditions during the weekend. (capecodtimes.com) Monday, May 25, is the key next checkpoint for both weather and traffic. AAA’s holiday window runs through that date, and local forecasts in places such as New York, New Jersey and Cape Cod are expected to determine how much added delay travelers face on the return trip. (midstates.aaa.com) (msn.com)