Philadelphia heads into Memorial Day weekend on a gray note Friday, May 22, with mostly cloudy skies, temperatures hovering near 61°F, a high around 65°F and a light northeast breeze. A few spotty showers could pop up in the afternoon, but most of the daylight hours look just cloudy and cool.
The quiet stretch does not last long. While there is only a slight chance of afternoon showers Friday, May 22, rain becomes more widespread Friday night into Saturday, May 23. Saturday and Saturday night are expected to be the soggiest stretch, with new rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches possible and roughly 1.5 to 2.5 inches forecast across the region through Monday, May 25. Forecasters expect the steadiest rain to taper Sunday before warmer, showery conditions move in for Memorial Day, according to the National Weather Service Mount Holly.
Hoodline published an earlier story yesterday about the unsettled holiday pattern, and this update reflects expanded marine advisories and higher overnight rainfall projections for Saturday night. For background and timing details, see our earlier coverage of the rain-soaked holiday weekend.
Weekend Wind And Marine Risks
Winds turn more persistent off the ocean as the weekend gets going. East to east northeast winds pick up Friday and strengthen into Saturday, with gusts in the 25 to 35 mph range. Onshore seas climb to 4 to 6 feet Friday and 6 to 8 feet Saturday, with breaking waves of 2 to 4 feet adding to the trouble for boaters and swimmers.
Small Craft Advisories start up Friday morning for local waters, and a brief stretch of gale conditions is possible Saturday night. Along the Atlantic coast, a HIGH rip current risk is posted for Friday and Saturday. Ocean temperatures are still mainly in the 50s to low 60s, so an unexpected plunge can lead to hypothermia fast, all according to the National Weather Service Mount Holly.
Plan And Safety Tips
If your weekend plans involve grills, beaches or boats, have a backup. Shift outdoor events inland or try for Sunday or Monday, when conditions are expected to improve. Leave extra time for travel on Saturday since steady rain and gusty winds may slow traffic and transit, and ferry and small boat operators should be ready for delays or cancellations.
At the shore, stick to swimming near lifeguards, follow the flag warnings and keep small craft in port while advisories are posted.
Bottom line: pack the rain gear and stay flexible. The damp, cool setup replacing this week’s heat is lining up to make it a wet Memorial Day weekend in Philadelphia, and we will update readers if any watches or warnings expand or if the timing shifts ahead of the holiday.
