Yahoo warns stormy Memorial Day

Yahoo reported on Wednesday that Memorial Day weekend weather could disrupt plans for millions of Americans, with rain and thunderstorms forecast in several parts of the country and colder conditions expected in the Northeast. The report said the holiday setup could affect travelers and outdoor gatherings during one of the busiest U.S. travel weekends of the year. National Weather Service forecasts issued on May 20 pointed to severe thunderstorms and flooding risks from the southern Plains into the lower Great Lakes, while forecasters in New Jersey warned of a cooler, wetter holiday stretch. ### Where is the weather threat concentrated? The National Weather Service said on May 20 that “widely scattered severe thunderstorms” could produce damaging winds, hail and flash flooding from the southern Plains into the lower Great Lakes. The agency also said record heat would continue in parts of the East before conditions changed in some Mid-Atlantic areas later in the period. Yahoo’s Wednesday report said millions of Americans could face a stormy holiday weekend, with rain and thunderstorms expected across parts of the country. (yahoo.com) The report described the threat as broad enough to complicate outdoor plans and travel timing during the Memorial Day period. ### What are New Jersey forecasters saying about the Shore? (weather.gov) The National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, New Jersey, said in an area forecast discussion issued early Wednesday that a strong cold front would bring showers and possibly isolated severe thunderstorms to the region on Wednesday afternoon and evening. The same forecast said “significantly cooler temperatures and showers” were expected for the end of the week and the holiday weekend. (yahoo.com) Yahoo’s New Jersey-focused coverage said meteorologists saw model guidance lining up on a poor beach forecast, with cold temperatures and rain threatening Shore plans through Memorial Day. That matched the federal forecast discussion pointing to a marked shift from midweek heat to a cooler, unsettled pattern by the weekend. (forecast.weather.gov) ### How big is the temperature swing? Mount Holly forecasters said on May 20 that record-setting early season heat was likely through Wednesday before the front moved through. The office’s forecast discussion described hot and humid conditions first, followed by cooler weather and showers later in the week and into the holiday weekend. That sequence means travelers in places such as New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware could move from near-summer heat into jacket weather within a few days. (yahoo.com) The federal forecast did not frame that as unusual in consumer terms, but it did describe the post-front period as “significantly cooler.” ### What does this mean for holiday travel timing? (forecast.weather.gov) AAA said 45.1 million people were expected to travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday period, according to figures cited in Yahoo’s broader holiday weather coverage. Yahoo’s reporting tied the weather threat to a weekend when roads, airports and outdoor destinations are typically crowded. (forecast.weather.gov) National Weather Service offices in several regions were already highlighting unsettled conditions into the holiday weekend. In Louisiana, forecasters said an “unsettled pattern” would remain in place into Memorial Day weekend, with heavy rainfall and flooding risk into early next week, while Chicago forecasters said shower and thunderstorm chances would increase on Friday and continue intermittently through the weekend. (yahoo.com) ### What should readers watch next? Monday, May 25, is the key date in the current forecast window, and National Weather Service offices are updating local discussions and hazard outlooks daily. Travelers heading to the Jersey Shore, the Mid-Atlantic or storm-prone parts of the Plains and Great Lakes can track the latest changes through the National Weather Service and local forecast updates cited by Yahoo. (weather.gov) (forecast.weather.gov)