HOLIDAY SOAKER: Celebration plans for Memorial Day Weekend could be in jeopardy, as heavy rain and the risk of flooding will persist across portions of the East Coast and the South.
As nasty weather begins across portions of the East Coast on Thursday, your Memorial Day weekend plans could be in jeopardy due to widespread thunderstorms.
To begin the weekend, Americans along the West Coast luck out, with mild temperatures 5 to 10 degrees above average, sunny skies and dry conditions through Memorial Day.
Saturday forecast
Forecasters are predicting little to no impact on major travel hubs such as Denver, Los Angeles and Seattle to start the weekend.
Unfortunately, this weather pattern will be the opposite for portions of the Southern Plains, Southeast and Northeast U.S., as rounds of persistent heavy rain are expected for most of the weekend.
Over 145 million people plan to travel for the holiday, anticipating travel disruptions at major airports in New York, New Jersey, Atlanta, Georgia, and New Orleans amid the unpleasant weather.
(FOX Weather)
The FOX Forecast Center does not expect these widespread storms to be severe.
Still, a few strong ones could develop across the Southern Plains, as persistent heavy rain will bring a Level 2 out of 4 flash flood risk for most of the Texas Gulf Coast, including Houston and parts of southern Louisiana.
Sunday forecast
By Sunday, portions of the North and Central Plains will see dry conditions return, bringing temperatures into the low-to-mid 80s, a perfect late spring feel for this time of year.
Conditions will remain soggy and wet across the Northeast as an area of low pressure moves through Southern New England.
Severe thunderstorm blasts Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with strong wind gusts and hail Monday.
This could bring scattered showers, continuing the trend of possible delays in airport travel.
The Northeast will not be the only region experiencing unfavorable conditions leading into Memorial Day, with wet weather expected to persist across portions of Texas and Louisiana, bringing another Level 2 out of 5 flash flood risk.
(FOX Weather)
Memorial Day forecast
By Monday, conditions will begin to steadily improve across the Northeast and Great Lakes region following a weekend of wet and stormy weather.
HOW HIGH PRESSURE AND LOW PRESSURE DRIVE THE WEATHER
“High pressure building in from the west is expected to push moisture farther south and east, bringing warmer temperatures and drier conditions back to millions from the Midwest into New England,” the FOX Forecast Center said.
Employees at the Albany International Airport enjoy a group Memorial Day hoilday themed cookout in Colonie N.Y. Friday May 25, 2012.
(Michael P. Farrell/Albany Times Union / Getty Images)
Despite this hopeful push toward warm, dry conditions, the potential for showers and downpours will linger across the Carolinas, the Tennessee River Valley and portions of the Gulf Coast.
The lucky streak for Americans on the West Coast will continue under dry, sunny conditions, with temperatures slightly above average.
KNOW YOUR FLOOD TERMINOLOGY: WHAT FLOOD WATCHES, WARNINGS AND EMERGENCIES REALLY MEAN
There is a chance of rain in the Pacific Northwest through Sunday afternoon, with increased cloud cover and temperatures in the 50s and 60s, but overall, the West Coast will have the best chance of enjoying a pleasant weekend outdoors for the holiday.
