Memorial Day weather threatens plans nationwide

ABC News reported on May 20 that much of the United States is heading into Memorial Day weekend without the beach weather many travelers expect. AAA said 45 million Americans are forecast to travel over the holiday period, including 39.1 million by car, while forecasters warned that rain and thunderstorms could disrupt trips from Texas to New England. USA Today said millions of people face a stormy holiday setup, with wet conditions expected across parts of the South, the Northeast and other heavily traveled corridors. The combination of record travel volume and unsettled weather leaves airports, highways and outdoor events exposed to delays even before the long weekend begins. ### Where is the weather most likely to disrupt plans? (abcnews.com) ABC News said Friday will be mostly cloudy in the Northeast, with temperatures running 5 to 10 degrees below average for late May. The outlet said much of the country will miss out on “beach-friendly” conditions as the holiday weekend begins under a broad unsettled pattern. AccuWeather said storms and downpours could stretch from Texas to New England, with flash flooding possible in some areas. (usatoday.com) The Weather Channel also described the South and Northeast as the main zones for repeated showers through the weekend. ### What is happening around New York City? The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for New York City, Long Island, New Jersey and nearby parts of southern Connecticut through 9 p.m. (abcnews.com) Wednesday, according to FOX 5 New York. FOX 5 said the main threats included hail up to quarter size, wind gusts up to 70 mph and frequent lightning. NBC New York said cooler air follows the midweek storms, with highs falling into the 50s on Saturday and the 60s on Sunday. (accuweather.com) Memorial Day itself could improve later in the day, NBC New York reported, after early showers. ### Which other regions are dealing with rain? FOX 4 said North Texas faces rain and thunderstorm chances through Sunday, threatening both outdoor gatherings and holiday travel. (fox5ny.com) That keeps Dallas-Fort Worth, one of the country’s busiest air hubs, in a weather pattern worth watching through the weekend. The Weather Channel and AccuWeather both pointed to a broader corridor of wet weather across the South and East. (nbcnewyork.com) Their forecasts suggested the issue is not a single storm system but a pattern capable of producing repeated rounds of rain over several days. ### How much more expensive is the trip this year? KGW reported on May 21 that the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline was $4.564. (foxweather.com) That was about $1.38 higher than a year earlier, or 43.4% more, as drivers prepared for the holiday weekend. AAA said 39.1 million Americans are expected to drive at least 50 miles from home between Thursday and Monday, May 25. (weather.com) KGW reported that the higher fuel prices were not expected to reduce road travel, with AAA forecasting about 100,000 more road trips than last year. ### What should travelers watch next? Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 25, and the most immediate updates are expected from the National Weather Service and local forecast offices as storms move east. (kgw.com) Travelers passing through New York, Dallas-Fort Worth and other major hubs will be watching for airport delays, road hazards and changes to outdoor event plans through the weekend. (fox5ny.com)