May has been a real mess, with rain coming down more often than not. As of Thursday, Central Park had seen over five inches of total precipitation for the month – way wetter than usual.
Rain on Wednesday and Thursday really brought the temperature down, leaving us stuck in the 50s, which is pretty weird for this time of year. It felt more like March than May!
Friday brings a change in temperature, with highs around 60. There might be a few scattered showers, especially during the evening commute or for those heading out of town for the weekend. It’s not enough to ruin your plans, but you might need to use your wipers a couple of times. And keep an umbrella handy, just in case you get caught in a quick shower.
### Weekend Forecast: Cooler Than Normal
Normal temperatures for late May in the tri-state area are usually in the low to mid-70s, but this weekend we’ll be a good 10-15 degrees below that. It’ll feel more like April to start the weekend off.
Despite the cooler temperatures, the weekend forecast is looking pretty good. Temperatures will slowly be creeping up, with Saturday and Sunday staying in the 60s. There’ll be a strong breeze, especially on Long Island, so if you’re planning on going to the Jones Beach air show, bring a light jacket or sweater.
If you’re heading to MetLife Stadium for a Beyoncé concert on Saturday or Sunday night, you’re in luck. Temperatures will be in the 60s, dropping into the 50s by the end of the concert. It might be a little chilly, but nothing an extra layer (or some dancing) can’t fix. And the best part? Both nights will be rain-free.
### Memorial Day: Sunshine and Warmer Temperatures
By Memorial Day, highs will finally reach the 70s in most places, making Monday the nicest day of the weekend. If you have any outdoor plans, like barbeques, you’re in luck. It’ll be partly sunny and comfortably warm – a perfect day to be outside, no matter what you have on the agenda.
Temperatures at the beaches will be a bit cooler, so don’t expect a summery weekend if you’re headed that way. The water temperature is hovering in the upper 50s to near 60 degrees, which tends to keep the air temperature down along the coast. The forecast isn’t too bad, though, especially if you want to take a stroll along the beach or boardwalk. If you’re hoping for sunbathing and swimming, we’re not quite there yet.
Despite the cool temperatures, the one thing going for this Memorial Day weekend is the dry skies. Historically, we’ve had some pretty bad luck with rain on Memorial Day weekends, so this will be a welcome change. Looking back, we’ve had rain on almost every holiday weekend in the last 10 years. While we can’t completely rule out a stray shower or sprinkle, most of us should make it through the weekend without any issues. That alone makes for a pretty decent forecast, even if our “start of summer” feels more like a continuation of spring.
