Jones Beach faces Memorial Day washout

CBS New York reported on Saturday that Jones Beach could open Memorial Day weekend under rough surf, cool temperatures and repeated rounds of rain rather than the usual start-of-summer crowds. The station said a High Surf Advisory covers ocean beaches across the Tri-State area, with the wettest stretch expected from Saturday night into Sunday morning. The National Weather Service office in New York said the holiday weekend would be “cool, breezy and wet,” with a prolonged soaking rain and a high risk of rip currents Saturday and Sunday. ### Why is Jones Beach at the center of the forecast? Jones Beach State Park is one of the region’s signature Memorial Day destinations, and CBS New York said state parks officials were monitoring both surf and rain as the weekend approached. The station reported that Sunday night’s America 250 drone show had already been shifted to Monday night because of the forecast. (cbsnews.com) Cary Epstein, a supervising lifeguard interviewed by CBS New York, said the surf setup was unusual for this point in the season. “Typically speaking, we really don’t do that unless there is hurricane surf, or something very out of the ordinary,” Epstein told the station. ### How much rain is expected across the New York area? CBS New York said the Tri-State area could see an average of 2 inches of rain over the holiday weekend, with some places picking up as much as 4 inches before it ends. (cbsnews.com) The station said ponding on roads and travel disruptions were possible as the rain intensifies. The National Weather Service’s New York forecast office said the main inland threat was minor urban and poor-drainage flooding. (cbsnews.com) Its forecast discussion described the holiday period as a prolonged soaking rain rather than a brief passing system. ### When does the weather look worst for beachgoers? (cbsnews.com) Saturday night into Sunday morning is the period CBS New York identified as the most unsettled, with rain becoming heavy at times. The station said Sunday temperatures may struggle to get out of the low 60s, a sharp contrast with typical beach-opening expectations. The National Weather Service said high surf was possible Saturday night into Sunday, with minor beach erosion and flooding possible around high tide Sunday afternoon and Sunday night. (forecast.weather.gov) It also said the high rip current risk could continue into Monday. ### What does the surf advisory mean in practical terms? (cbsnews.com) A High Surf Advisory and high rip current risk point to dangerous ocean conditions even when beaches are open. CBS New York said beach conditions were expected to remain unsafe into Memorial Day, and the National Weather Service separately warned of a high risk of rip currents on Saturday and Sunday. (forecast.weather.gov) The weather service’s marine and coastal forecasts also pointed to rough conditions along the Long Island and New Jersey oceanfront. Those warnings matter at Jones Beach because strong surf and rip currents can limit swimming and force officials to restrict activity at the shoreline. That connection is an inference based on the agency’s hazard language and CBS New York’s reporting on park monitoring. (cbsnews.com) ### What is still scheduled for the holiday weekend? New York officials had planned America 250 events at Jones Beach over Memorial Day weekend, including the drone show that CBS New York said was moved from Sunday night to Monday night. Earlier state announcements described the Memorial Day and July Fourth programs as part of a broader 250th-anniversary series at Jones Beach. (cbsnews.com) Monday, May 25, remains the next key date in the forecast. CBS New York said more rain could linger into Memorial Day, and the National Weather Service said updated beach, surf and local forecasts would continue to be issued through the weekend. (cbsnews.com 1) (cbsnews.com 2)