USA Today warns Memorial Day storms

USA Today and Yahoo warned on May 20 that much of the United States faces a wet and stormy Memorial Day weekend, with rain and thunderstorms expected to interfere with outdoor gatherings and holiday travel. AAA said 45 million Americans are projected to travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday, May 21, and Monday, May 25, a record for the holiday period. More than 39 million of those travelers are expected to drive, according to AAA. ### Where is the weather expected to cause the biggest disruptions? The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center said in an extended forecast discussion issued May 18 that multiple rounds of heavy rain and severe storms were expected for the southern Plains through the Memorial Day period. Its short-range discussion on May 21 said strong to severe thunderstorms would continue from the central High Plains southward to Texas and across the Deep South. (usatoday.com) Yahoo said much of the country would not get beach-friendly conditions this weekend, while USA Today said millions of Americans faced a stormy forecast that could spoil holiday plans. AOL, citing Fox Weather, said widespread rain was expected across the South and much of the Eastern Seaboard on Saturday and Sunday. ### How many people are traveling into that forecast? (wpc.ncep.noaa.gov) AAA said on May 11 that 45 million Americans would travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday window from May 21 to May 25. The group said the forecast was slightly above 2025 levels. WLOS reported that more than 1.2 million North Carolinians were expected to travel for the holiday weekend. (usatoday.com) The station said AAA projected that more than 1.2 million state residents would drive at least 50 miles from home, even as higher gas prices remained a factor for some travelers. (newsroom.aaa.com) ### What are local forecasts showing in places flagged in coverage? Patch’s Pittsburgh weather page said thunderstorms were expected in the area from Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon. The page listed a 90% chance of precipitation in its local outlook and said the weekend period would include showers and thunderstorms. Akron-area coverage also pointed to a wet stretch. (wlos.com) AOL, carrying Akron Beacon Journal reporting earlier in May, said another soggy pattern was in store for Greater Akron, with several inches of rain possible in parts of Northeast Ohio by the weekend. AOL’s current Akron weather page also showed local forecast conditions and a 10-day outlook for the city. ### Why does this matter for holiday plans? (patch.com) USA Today framed the forecast around outdoor events, beaches and road trips, saying the weather could ruin plans for millions of Americans. Yahoo and AOL similarly warned that rain and storms could complicate travel timing and outdoor activities during one of the busiest U.S. travel weekends of the year. (aol.com) The overlap between high travel volume and unsettled weather is already showing up in transportation coverage. Yahoo reported that severe weather forced the Federal Aviation Administration to impose ground stops at Newark, John F. Kennedy and Philadelphia airports, with Newark seeing delays of nearly 160 minutes at one point. (usatoday.com) ### What should readers watch next? Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 25, and forecast details are still being updated by national and local weather offices. AAA’s travel window runs through that date, while the National Weather Service’s forecast products and local outlet updates are continuing to track rain, thunderstorms and travel impacts by region. (newsroom.aaa.com)