Memorial Day Weekend in New Jersey Expected to Bring Rain, Clouds and Cooler Temperatures
New Jersey residents preparing for Memorial Day weekend gatherings, beach trips, parades and outdoor celebrations may have to adjust their plans as a stretch of cool, cloudy and rainy weather is expected to move across the state through Monday.
Forecasters say the holiday weekend, which is often considered the unofficial start of summer, will likely feel more like early spring in many parts of New Jersey. Weather conditions are expected to stay unsettled from Friday night into Sunday, with periods of rain, gusty winds and temperatures running below normal for late May.
According to the National Weather Service, northern parts of New Jersey are expected to remain mostly dry through Friday while southern areas could see light rain during the day. Temperatures across the state are expected to stay mainly in the 60s, far cooler than what residents typically experience heading into Memorial Day.
Wind conditions are also expected to become stronger throughout Friday. Gusts could reach up to 25 mph during the day before increasing to nearly 30 mph overnight into Saturday morning. The stronger onshore breeze is expected to make conditions feel even cooler, especially near coastal communities.
The wettest part of the holiday weekend is forecast to arrive between Saturday and Sunday. Widespread rain is expected to spread across much of the region during that time, with rainfall totals ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 inches in some areas over the three-day period. Weather officials say the heaviest rainfall is most likely from late Saturday into Sunday.
Despite the rainy setup, the threat of severe thunderstorms currently remains low. However, some periods of heavier downpours are still possible during the weekend as moisture continues moving through the region.
Saturday is expected to be the coldest day of the long weekend. High temperatures may only reach the upper 50s to low 60s in several areas across New Jersey. Meteorologists say those readings are around 5 to 10 degrees below the seasonal average for this time of year.
By Sunday, rain and showers are expected to gradually decrease, although skies will likely remain mostly cloudy. Temperatures may recover slightly but are still expected to stay below normal across much of the state. Afternoon highs on Sunday are forecast to range from the upper 60s to the mid-70s depending on location.
Memorial Day itself may not be completely dry either. Forecast models continue to show the possibility of additional scattered showers on Monday as the unsettled weather pattern lingers over the region. Temperatures are expected to become warmer compared to the weekend, with highs reaching the 70s and possibly approaching 80 degrees in some areas.
Forecasters believe more comfortable weather conditions could finally return by Tuesday, with warmer and drier air expected to settle into the region through the middle of next week.
The gloomy forecast could impact many of the more than 150 planned Memorial Day weekend events scheduled across New Jersey. Outdoor ceremonies, festivals, backyard gatherings and beach travel may face interruptions from the repeated rounds of rain and cooler-than-usual temperatures.
Residents planning to spend time outdoors over the holiday weekend are being advised to closely monitor local forecasts and prepare for changing weather conditions, especially during the heaviest rain periods expected late Saturday and Sunday.
Sources
National Weather Service
New Jersey Office of Emergency Management
