Meteorologists at AccuWeather have issued a forecast for the upcoming memorial day weekend, warning that storms could dampen outdoor festivities and hamper travel across the Eastern U.S.
“Millions heading to cookouts, ballgames and beaches this Memorial Day weekend may end up dodging rounds of thunderstorms and downpours. The unofficial start of summer is shaping up to be a soggy one, with showers and storms expected from the Plains to the Northeast,” said AccuWeather meteorologist Elizabeth Danco.
Why It Matters
The American Automobile Association expects 45 million Americans to journey 50 miles or more between May 21 and May 25. The organization said a year-over-year increase of roughly 200,000 travelers could make 2026’s Memorial Day “the busiest ever for travel.”
AccuWeather said that although much of the Rockies, Pacific Coast and far Southeast are expected to stay predominantly dry, repeated downpours elsewhere could still cause travel delays and disrupt outdoor events.
What To Know
AccuWeather forecasts the heaviest concentration of showers and thunderstorms over the extended holiday weekend from Texas to New England, with repeated bouts of rain and lightning potentially disrupting outdoor plans. It advised travelers and residents from central and northeastern Texas through to West Virginia to expect potential delays to events and ceremonies.
It also expects widespread rainfall totals of one to four inches from parts of Texas—including the Hill Country—into western Tennessee and Kentucky, with some areas seeing more than six inches.
“The weather will be a big disappointment for beachgoers from Virginia to New England. Temperatures will feel 30 to 50 degrees cooler in some spots this weekend, following this week’s intense spring heat wave. Beach time over the holiday weekend may be limited to brief windows between storms and downpours,” Danco said.
“Families planning outdoor Memorial Day ceremonies, parades and cookouts should keep an eye on the sky and have a backup plan ready. Make sure you have multiple ways to receive severe weather alerts.”
In contrast, the outlet said California and parts of the Southwest are set to see the most favorable holiday weather, with largely dry conditions and sustained sunshine. Elsewhere, the Rockies are expected to see intermittent showers and thunderstorms, while parts of the Pacific Northwest could see cooler conditions along with some rain by Memorial Day.
What Is Memorial Day?
Memorial Day is observed on the final Monday of May each year and serves as a time to honor those who died while serving in the U.S. military.
Formerly known as Decoration Day, the holiday dates to the years following the Civil War, when the Grand Army of the Republic—a group of Union veterans—called for a day to commemorate fallen service members.
