Storm-Tracker Map: See Where Weather May Ruin Your Memorial Day Plans

Many travelers
might encounter hazardous weather conditions due to anticipated thunderstorms set to affect a broad section of the U.S. over the Memorial Day weekend.

reached out via email to AccuWeather for their input.

Why It Matters

This year, the American Automobile Association (AAA) predicts that over 45 million individuals will journey at least 50 miles from their homes from May 22 to 26 for Memorial Day celebrations. This figure could establish a fresh record for holiday weekend travel.

Intense weather conditions might interfere with schedules or present hazards for travelers on Monday, as AccuWeather meteorologists predict thunderstorms extending from Montana and North Dakota down to Texas and across to South Carolina.

What To Know

On Monday, thunderstorms are anticipated throughout many parts of the country, which could disrupt Memorial Day parades and festivities as well as any same-day travel plans.

In addition to the
extensive thunderstorms throughout the Central and Southern regions of the U.S.,
Rain is anticipated in the northeastern region, with
mild temperatures throughout much of the Midwest.
Thunderstorms and precipitation are anticipated in Oregon; however, the remaining regions out west should experience warmer weather.

Intense rainfall hit sections of the Southern Plains earlier this week, setting the stage for potential issues during the busy travel weekend ahead. Areas where the grounds are heavily saturated might face an increased threat of sudden floods.

On Friday, flood warnings continue across southeast Kansas, northeast Nebraska, southwest Missouri, and northwest Arkansas. Several of these alerts are anticipated to last until late Monday evening during Memorial Day.

“The region can expect multiple episodes of rain showers and thunderstorms from Friday evening until Monday. The National Weather Service (NWS) branch in Springfield, Missouri, warns that cumulative precipitation could reach between 2 to 5 inches over large parts of the area, with some spots potentially receiving as much as 8 inches. They noted that the heaviest downpours seem likely to hit southeastern Kansas and southwestern Missouri,” according to their issued flood watch.

In the meantime, the region still faces threats from hail, lightning, destructive winds, and heavy rainfall into Friday evening.

The senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, Tom Kines, stated
The region of most worry regarding weekend trips spans from western Kansas and western Texas all the way to western Tennessee and portions of Alabama.

“If you’re planning travel over the next few days, that’s likely when you’ll encounter the harshest conditions, particularly on Saturday and Sunday,” he stated.

Kinetic has cautioned that significant rainfall is anticipated in the Ozark region, which may present a “potentially deadly” flooding hazard for campers or anyone engaged in outdoor pursuits in the vicinity over this coming weekend.

What People Are Saying

AccuWeather, in a report:

Showers and thunderstorms will intensify early over the central and southern Plains as well as the Lower Mississippi Valley, persisting throughout the extended holiday weekend including Memorial Day.

The majority of the significant thunderstorm risk will lie along the southern and eastern borders of the continuous heavy rainfall area, stretching from central Texas to Georgia and South Carolina.

The National Weather Service, in their early Friday morning forecast announcement:

Heavy thunderstorms are anticipated from the central through the southern Plains until Sunday, primarily posing risks of large hail and strong wind gusts. There will be an increased likelihood of heavy to torrential rain leading to potential flash floods in the South-Central region starting Friday and continuing over the weekend.

What Happens Next

A number of states will continue to be under a flood watch throughout the holiday period. Additional storms are anticipated over the weekend and into Monday.

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