Memorial Day soggy travel in Northeast, Midwest

ABC News said on May 25 that a soggy Memorial Day pattern was disrupting travel and outdoor plans across the Northeast and Midwest, with additional rain and thunderstorms affecting parts of the South. The network said wet and cool conditions had persisted through the holiday weekend, though some improvement was expected in parts of the Northeast and Midwest later Monday. (abcnews.com) NBC News had reported earlier in the weekend that storms threatened travel across broad stretches of the country as holiday traffic built. In the New York region, NBC New York said Sunday’s rain pushed some travelers to head back into the city early. (nbcnewyork.com) ### Where was Memorial Day travel getting hit? The Northeast, Midwest and parts of the South were the main trouble spots on Monday, according to ABC News. (cbsnews.com) The outlet said showers and thunderstorms were creating travel hiccups for flyers and slippery roads for drivers, while flood watches stretched across parts of the South through Memorial Day. NBC News reported on May 22 that the weather threat extended from Texas into the Northeast, with heavy rain, flash flooding and possible delays expected as the holiday weekend began. That broader setup helps explain why Monday’s problems were not confined to one metro area or one corridor. (abcnews.com) ### What was happening around New York City? NBC New York reported that Sunday rain dampened holiday plans across the Tri-State region during what it called the unofficial start of summer. The station said a number of cars were seen heading back into New York City at the George Washington Bridge, an early sign that some travelers were cutting trips short or changing plans. (abcnews.com) CBS New York separately described the region as off to a soggy start for the holiday weekend, with chilly and rainy conditions across the area. FOX 5 New York also reported that rain forced changes to traditional holiday activities, with some residents and visitors shifting to indoor alternatives. (nbcnews.com) ### Was this a total washout in the Northeast and Midwest? ABC News said the answer was no. Its May 25 report said some improvement was in store for the Northeast and Midwest heading into Memorial Day, even as the eastern half of the country remained stuck in a wet pattern. Yahoo, citing AccuWeather, reported Monday that warmer and drier conditions were expected to spread from west to east across the Northeast during the day, with morning rain closer to the coast likely clearing in many places by the afternoon. (nbcnewyork.com) That suggested the worst conditions would ease unevenly rather than end all at once. ### What did local forecasts show in Philadelphia and Washington? (cbsnews.com) CBS Philadelphia reported on May 25 that steady rain had soaked the region on Sunday, with gray and damp conditions lingering and only some clearing possible late Monday. The station said Memorial Day would likely be the best day of the weekend there, but still with mostly cloudy skies and a lower chance of scattered showers and isolated storms. (abcnews.com) NBC Washington said its region would also stay damp through the holiday period. Its forecast called for dry periods on Memorial Day but kept a shower chance in place, with cloudy skies and temperatures in the upper 70s. (yahoo.com) ### What should travelers watch through the rest of Monday? Monday’s key variable was timing. ABC News said conditions in the Northeast and Midwest were improving gradually, while local outlets in New York, Philadelphia and Washington continued to warn of showers, wet roads and interruptions to outdoor plans. Local forecast updates remained the next step for travelers heading home on May 25. (cbsnews.com) ABC News, NBC New York, CBS Philadelphia and NBC Washington all had continuing weather coverage tied to Memorial Day conditions in their regions. (abcnews.com) (nbcwashington.com)