Memorial Day 2019 Weather: What To Expect In Chicago, Elsewhere

ILLINOIS — About 43 million Americans plan to travel 50 or more miles to observe Memorial Day — officially a somber holiday that commemorates the nation’s war dead, but also viewed by the tourism industry as the unofficial start to summer. The National Weather Service says Chicago will be in the 70s with rain and thunderstorms, but depending on where you’re heading, that may not be the case.

Here's a look at the forecast for Memorial Day weekend in Chicagoland:

• Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. West southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall between a quarter and half an inch possible.
• Saturday night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north northwest after midnight.
• Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. North northeast wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 10 mph.
• Sunday night: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.
• Memorial Day: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
• Monday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.

Weather on Memorial Day weekend will vary depending on where you're headed. Be sure to pack an umbrella, rain gear and an emergency plan if you’re heading to the central or western United States, where residents are reeling from days of violent weather.

Showers and thunderstorms are also possible from the western Great Lakes to the Northeast, and in the Southeast, be sure to pack plenty of cool, airy clothing and sunscreen.

• Worst Day To Get Out Of Town: Illinois Memorial Day Travel Guide

“It will feel like summer has already begun across much of the Southeast with record-challenging heat,” said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines, explaining that temperatures in the 90s to near 100 are expected in that part of the country, and oppressive humidity levels will push the feels-like temperature even higher.

That’s great news for people who plan to visit swimming pools and beaches, but The Weather Channel said the prolonged nature of the heat wave in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and the Carolinaa could make it life-threatening for some people.

“Keep this all in mind if you have plans to head to the beach, a park, a Memorial Day observance or simply plan to hang out on your patio over the holiday weekend,” The Weather Channel said. “Minimize your time outdoors during the hottest times of day, typically from late morning through late afternoon. Drink plenty of liquids and wear light, loose-fitting clothing if you must be outside for longer periods of time.”

In areas where severe storms could kick off, it’s best to plan activities in the morning and early afternoon hours, before storms fire up late in the afternoon and evening. Evening camp outs and concerts could be threatened by dangerous lightning strikes.

A spate of tornadoes and winds gusting at up to 80 mph have raked Texas, Oklahoma and other parts of the Southern Plains over the past several days, leaving widespread damage and some injuries in their path. Farther north, torrential rain created new and worsening flood problems, and that’s in the long-range weather forecast as well.