Memorial Day travel soggy in Northeast

ABC News reported on Sunday, May 24, that a soggy pattern was set to hang over much of the eastern half of the United States through Memorial Day, with the Northeast and Midwest expected to improve only gradually. The outlet said the holiday would not be a total washout in those regions, but wet roads and periodic rain were still likely for travelers. The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center said wet, stormy and unsettled weather would continue across much of the eastern half of the country through Tuesday morning. ### Which parts of the country were expected to stay wet on Memorial Day? The Northeast, Midwest and much of the South were the main trouble spots in forecasts heading into Monday. ABC News said cool and wet conditions were expected to linger across the Northeast and Midwest, while scattered rain and thunderstorms were forecast to continue in the South into the new work week. The Weather Channel said the holiday-weekend pattern was largely locked in, with showers and storms focused on parts of the South and Northeast. (abcnews.com) The National Weather Service said widespread rainfall of 1 inch to more than 2 inches was expected from the Gulf Coast to southern New England. The agency’s short-range discussion described conditions across much of the eastern half of the country as “wet, stormy, and unsettled.” ### What were local forecasters saying in Nashville and Atlanta? The Tennessean reported on May 24 that Nashville’s Memorial Day forecast included rain, fog and possible thunderstorms. (abcnews.com) Earlier local forecast coverage cited by Yahoo said the National Weather Service expected dry periods at times, but warned that each day through early this week carried a high chance of rainfall, with 2 to 3 inches possible over the broader stretch. (weather.gov) Atlanta forecasters at 11Alive said isolated showers were expected to build into scattered to widespread showers and thunderstorms as the day went on. The station said some areas could pick up 1 to 3 inches of rain quickly, and advised residents with outdoor plans to monitor radar and have a backup plan. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution separately reported that daily rounds of showers and thunderstorms could dampen plans and produce localized flash flooding. (tennessean.com) ### How bad did the holiday weekend look in Philadelphia? CBS Philadelphia reported that steady rain had continued through Sunday, soaking the Memorial Day weekend across the region. Its forecast said more rain was expected through the weekend, with only a chance that some places would see a little clearing by late in the day on Monday. (11alive.com) A separate Philadelphia forecast carried by AOL said the weekend had remained cloudy, cool and rainy, though temperatures were expected to climb into the 70s on Monday before warmer weather returned later in the week. That forecast pointed to lingering showers or storms on Memorial Day before a drier stretch. ### Where was the weather more favorable for holiday travel? (msn.com) KESQ forecast the Coachella Valley to stay warm through Memorial Day, with highs in the upper 90s and breezier conditions developing Monday evening, according to the briefing and the station’s related local forecast coverage from the week. Regional desert forecasts in nearby Southern California also pointed to sunny, dry weather with temperatures warming into triple digits by Memorial Day. (aol.com) Good Morning America reported last week that hot and dry weather was likely across most of the West even as much of the East dealt with holiday rain. That left western resort areas and desert destinations in a different position from the storm-prone eastern corridor. ### What did this mean for people heading home after the holiday? (kesq.com) ABC News said the biggest travel risk was weather rather than demand, with scattered rain, thunderstorms and slippery roads raising the chance of delays for people returning home. The National Weather Service’s forecast discussion indicated the unsettled pattern would persist into Tuesday morning, extending the risk beyond holiday gatherings themselves. (goodmorningamerica.com) Tuesday, May 26, is the next clear marker in the forecast cycle. The Weather Prediction Center said its short-range outlook covered conditions through 12Z Tuesday, while local stations in Philadelphia, Nashville and Atlanta said residents should keep watching updated radar and local forecasts as showers and storms moved through. (wpc.ncep.noaa.gov) (abcnews.com)