New York Times forecasts wet, cool Memorial Day

The New York Times reported on May 22 that Memorial Day weekend is opening what it described as a busy U.S. summer travel season, with most Americans expected to make their trips by car. The paper said the weather outlook could complicate those plans across a large part of the country, with wet and cool conditions forecast for much of the United States while the West is expected to stay drier and closer to seasonal norms. ### Why are forecasters focusing on rain instead of demand? The New York Times said demand is strong heading into the holiday, but weather is emerging as the main variable for travelers this weekend. Its May 22 travel report said most U.S. travelers will be driving, and its companion weather forecast said rain and cooler temperatures are expected across broad stretches of the country. Those two factors together mean the biggest risk for many travelers is not whether roads and airports are busy, but where storms set up. (cbsnews.com) ### Which parts of the country look most unsettled? CBS New York reported late on May 22 that New York City and the surrounding Tri-State region were heading into “a soggy start to summer,” with rainy weather expected through Memorial Day weekend. The station said Friday offered only a brief break and advised residents to keep umbrellas close as cooler, unsettled conditions continued into Saturday and Sunday. (cbsnews.com) The Cincinnati Enquirer reported on May 22 that much of Greater Cincinnati was under a flood watch because of heavy rainfall, with flash flooding possible later in the day. A follow-up report published May 23 said showers were still threatening the holiday weekend after heavy rain disrupted the opening day of Taste of Cincinnati. (cbsnews.com) ### Where does the West fit into this forecast? The New York Times said the West was expected to be the exception to the broader national pattern, with drier and more seasonal weather than much of the rest of the country. That split matters because it separates the holiday map into two different travel stories: wetter conditions in many central and eastern areas, and more stable weather farther west. (cincinnati.com) ### What does this mean for people driving this weekend? Memorial Day traffic is typically heaviest on road trips, and the Times said that will again be the case this year because most travelers are driving. Rain and cooler temperatures do not stop travel on their own, but they can slow highway traffic, lengthen trip times and increase the chance of localized disruption where flood watches or thunderstorms develop. The Cincinnati flood watch was one example of how a broad national forecast can turn into a more specific local hazard. (cbsnews.com) ### What should travelers watch through Monday? Saturday, May 23, is likely to be only part of the story because local forecasts are still changing ahead of Memorial Day on Monday, May 25. CBS New York said the Tri-State forecast remained unsettled, and the Cincinnati Enquirer said rain was still affecting events and travel plans on May 23. Travelers are likely to get the clearest picture from city-by-city updates rather than the national outlook alone. (cincinnati.com) (cbsnews.com)