Memorial Day travel faces storms

AAA said 45 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday period from Thursday, May 21, through Monday, May 25. The travel group said that would edge above last year’s level and keep the holiday weekend near record territory. As travelers head out, national and regional forecasts point to rain and thunderstorms in several parts of the country, including the Northeast and North Texas. ABC News reported the heaviest driving congestion is expected Thursday and Friday afternoons, with return traffic building again on Monday. ### How many people are expected to travel this weekend? AAA said on May 11 that 45 million people are projected to travel at least 50 miles from home during the Memorial Day holiday window. The group said the travel period runs from Thursday, May 21, to Monday, May 25. AAA said the 2026 forecast is slightly higher than 2025, when 44.8 million people traveled for the holiday. (newsroom.aaa.com) The projection covers all modes of travel, with the largest share moving by car. ### When are the roads expected to be most crowded? ABC News reported Thursday and Friday afternoons are expected to be the busiest driving periods of the holiday stretch. (newsroom.aaa.com) The outlet said Monday is likely to bring the heaviest return traffic as travelers head home. ABC’s report also said air travel will be concentrated around the core holiday days, adding to congestion at airports as well as on highways. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### Where is the weather most likely to disrupt plans? USA Today reported on May 20 that millions of Americans face a stormy Memorial Day weekend, with rain and thunderstorms expected in multiple regions. The paper said the forecast could disrupt both travel and outdoor gatherings. (editions-weighted.us-west-2.abcnews.go.com) FOX 5 New York reported a cold front moving into the Northeast could bring thunderstorms to the New York City area ahead of the holiday weekend. (editions-weighted.us-west-2.abcnews.go.com) The station said the National Weather Service had issued a severe thunderstorm watch for much of the region through 9 p.m. Wednesday, with gusty winds, hail and heavy rain among the main concerns. FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth reported on May 20 that a series of storms could affect North Texas travel through the weekend. (usatoday.com) The station said rain chances were expected to range from 30% to 60% from Friday through Sunday, with isolated flooding possible and travelers advised to watch for roadway delays and airline schedule changes. ### Is every region looking at a washout? (fox5ny.com) WBUR reported Massachusetts and the broader New England forecast looked mixed rather than uniformly wet. The outlet said the weekend would bring sun at first, then showers and choppy coastal waters by Sunday, followed by what it described as a more pleasant rebound on Memorial Day. FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth also said North Texas would not be a total washout, even with repeated storm chances from Friday through Sunday. (fox4news.com) ### What should travelers watch as the weekend unfolds? The National Weather Service alerts cited by FOX 5 New York and the forecast updates cited by FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth point to changing local conditions rather than a single nationwide weather pattern. (wbur.org) Travelers in storm-prone areas will need to check local forecasts, road conditions and airline notifications close to departure times. (fox4news.com) Monday, May 25, is expected to be the main return-travel day, according to ABC News, while the holiday travel period tracked by AAA runs through that date. Regional outlets including FOX 5 New York, FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth and WBUR are updating local forecasts as the weekend approaches. (editions-weighted.us-west-2.abcnews.go.com) (fox5ny.com)