ABC forecasts Memorial Day storms nationwide

ABC News reported on Thursday that much of the United States is heading into Memorial Day weekend with unsettled weather rather than the clear, hot conditions many travelers associate with the holiday. The network said large parts of the country are expected to miss out on “beach-friendly weather” as clouds, rain and thunderstorms spread across several regions. USA Today also reported that millions of Americans could face stormy conditions that disrupt outdoor plans and affect some travel corridors. At the same time, AAA said holiday travel demand remains high, with 45 million Americans expected to travel over the weekend and North Carolina alone forecast to send more than 1.3 million residents on trips of at least 50 miles. ### Where is the holiday forecast expected to be the least summerlike? ABC News said the Northeast on Friday is expected to be mostly cloudy, with temperatures running 5 to 10 degrees below average for late May. That points to a cooler start to the holiday period in a region where beach and park plans typically surge over Memorial Day weekend. USA Today said rain and thunderstorms could affect broad stretches of the country over the holiday weekend. (abcnews.com) Its report framed the forecast as a threat to outdoor gatherings and some major travel routes, though conditions will vary by region and timing. ### Which parts of the country look warmer? ABC News said the Southwest is expected to be the hotter exception, with temperatures climbing into the 90s and possibly reaching triple digits in some areas. (abcnews.com) That creates a split national pattern heading into the long weekend, with cooler clouds in the East and early-season heat in parts of the West. ABC’s weather coverage also said widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected across the South. (usatoday.com) That raises the possibility of repeated interruptions for barbecues, beach trips and highway travel during one of the year’s busiest vacation periods. ### How many people are expected to be on the move anyway? AAA said 45 million Americans are expected to travel over Memorial Day weekend, a record-breaking total cited by ABC News in its weather report. (abcnews.com) The figure underscores how many travelers could be exposed to changing forecasts, airport delays or slower road traffic if storms develop along major corridors. AAA’s North Carolina branch said on May 19 that more than 1.3 million North Carolinians are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home during the five-day holiday period from Thursday through Monday. (abcnews.com) WLOS, citing AAA, separately reported more than 1.2 million residents were expected to travel, reflecting the same broad surge in holiday demand. ### What does this mean for people with outdoor plans? (abcnews.com) USA Today said storms could interfere with outdoor plans as well as travel. That includes the kinds of events that typically define the weekend — cookouts, lake trips, beach visits, parades and sports outings — especially in places where thunderstorm timing remains uncertain until closer to each day. ABC News did not describe the weekend as a washout everywhere, but its forecast pointed to a broad pattern of unsettled conditions rather than a nationwide stretch of dry holiday weather. (newsroom.acg.aaa.com) For travelers, that means local timing may matter more than the national headline, especially where scattered storms could leave some hours dry and others disrupted. ### What should travelers watch next? (usatoday.com) May 25 is Memorial Day, and the most useful next updates are expected from local National Weather Service offices and airport-specific advisories as the weekend approaches. ABC News and other national outlets are continuing to update regional timing, while AAA’s travel forecasts provide the clearest picture of how many people will be on the roads and in the air through Monday. (abcnews.com)