The Weather Prediction Center warned that Memorial Day weekend will bring widespread rain and thunderstorms across the southern and eastern United States. Forecasts call for several inches of rain in southern Texas and Louisiana, raising flash flooding risk around Houston, San Antonio, Lafayette and Baton Rouge. Travelers should expect airport delays and road closures as storms intensify Friday night.

The system will also affect the Midwest, bringing rain to the northern Plains and Upper Midwest Saturday, while the Southeast and Mid‑Atlantic see repeated showers through Sunday. Cooler cloud cover will push high temperatures 30 degrees below normal in the Northeast, where early‑week heat spikes of 98‑99°F will give way to mid‑50s to low‑60s highs.

The west remains an outlier, with dry, above‑average conditions expected through Monday, keeping California temperatures in the 90s. Retailers and event planners in flood‑prone regions should brace for inventory disruptions and lower foot traffic, while insurers anticipate a surge in short‑term claims. Authorities have issued flood advisories for the most vulnerable counties.

Hospitality venues in Houston and New Orleans are already adjusting staffing levels as the forecast threatens outdoor dining and convention bookings. Energy traders note that cooler, wetter weather could damp demand for gasoline in the Gulf Coast, offsetting regional price spikes seen earlier in May. Consumers should plan indoor activities for the holiday.