Memorial Day forecast: Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes threaten holiday travel

Eastern Iowa and northern Illinois — including Chicago — are under a severe thunderstorm watch on Friday.

These storms could bring wind gusts of up to 80 miles per hour, hail and tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service.

Conditions could impact service at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, the fourth busiest airport in the US, as millions continue traveling for the holiday weekend.

Miami, Florida — a popular vacation destination for Memorial Day weekend — will see strong thunderstorms bringing the risk of rip currents off the southwestern coast, according to the National Weather Service

Those celebrating at the beachfront destination may also face a brutal heat index of over 100F next week.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport workers went on strike Thursday as Memorial Day weekend travel began, local outlet WSOC TV reports.

The North Carolina airport is expecting a busy travel weekend. Airport officials predict that more than 400,000 passengers will originate from or connect at Charlotte Douglas International for their holiday travel.

The National Weather Service (NWS) said those celebrating Memorial Day on the East Coast should expect rain each day of the holiday weekend.

Meanwhile, those traveling to the Great Lakes region will be rained on this Sunday and Monday, the NWS forecasts.

If you’re still planning to be outdoors, the NWS previously encouraged people to stay diligent about lightning and dangerous marine conditions.

The National Weather Service (NWS) is warning those celebrating Memorial Day on the water this weekend to check marine conditions before they embark.

“A LOT can change with the weather from the time you leave the shore to when you’re out on the open water,” the NWS wrote on X. “Know before you go!”

With severe thunderstorms expected in many parts of the country this weekend — including the Great Lakes region — marine conditions may become dangerous due to high winds and heavy rain.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) predicts this weekend will bring the heaviest Memorial Day travel in nearly 20 years.

Some 43.8m people will likely travel at least 50 miles over the weekend, with most of them taking road trips, the AAA said, a 4 per cent increase from 2023. Most of those travellers will take a car to their destination, the AAA predicts.

Meanwhile, the Transportation Security Administration expects at least 3m people to pass through security checkpoints this weekend as airports brace for heavy traffic.

The AAA says those driving on Friday should leave early in the day to avoid getting mixed in with people commuting to and from work.

Then, those returning home on Sunday or Monday should avoid driving in the afternoon if possible to stay out of the return rush.

Good news: The worst of the air travel congestion may be behind us this Memorial Day weekend.

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said Thursday was expected to be the busiest air travel day for the holiday.

Travel will be at its lowest point on Sunday.

The National Weather Service (NWS) said those celebrating Memorial Day on the East Coast should expect rain each day of the holiday weekend.

Meanwhile, those traveling to the Great Lakes region will be rained on this Sunday and Monday, the NWS forecasts.

If you’re still planning to be outdoors, the NWS previously encouraged people to stay diligent about lightning and dangerous marine conditions.

Memorial Day, which also marks the unofficial start to summer, is observed annually on the last Monday of May, with most Americans receiving the day off from work.

The nation commemorates the holiday with a service at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, with the president typically laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Read more about the holiday from The Independent’s Chelsea Ritschel: