Friday, May 22, 2026 — New York City woke to clear skies and cool air this morning, about 58°F with a brisk northeast breeze. That calm will not last: a long, soaking rain is set to arrive Saturday and intensify overnight, threatening to turn much of the holiday weekend soggy. Expect highs stuck in the upper 50s to low 60s through Sunday, with stronger onshore winds along the coast.
Rain Timing And Flood Risk
Rain will spread across the area Saturday, becoming steadier late Saturday into Sunday, with the heaviest window Saturday night into Sunday afternoon. The National Weather Service expects many spots to pick up around an inch of rain, with southern and southwestern neighborhoods most likely to see 1–2 inches and localized heavier pockets. That is enough to produce nuisance urban and poor-drainage flooding in low spots around the city. For full details see the National Weather Service forecast discussion and the National Weather Service surf forecast.
Beaches, Boats And Winds
Onshore east to northeast winds will be breezy — generally 15–25 mph with gusts into the 30s — pushing waves onto area shores. Seas may build into the 8–12 foot range Saturday night into Sunday, producing a High rip-current risk at many beaches and a period of elevated surf that could cause minor beach erosion during high tides. Boaters should expect Small Craft Advisory conditions at times and skip unnecessary trips offshore.
Plan Ahead
If you have outdoor plans this weekend, move them earlier on Saturday or set an indoor backup. Steady rain and gusty onshore winds could dampen parades, picnics and barbecues. Beachgoers should stay out of the surf while the High rip-current risk is posted and swim only where lifeguards are present; for timing and a refresher see our earlier dreary soaker outlook. Add extra time to commutes, since wet streets and clogged drains can slow buses and surface traffic Saturday into Sunday.
Memorial Day itself may be milder, with a chance of lingering showers early Monday, and a more persistent dry, warmer stretch is likely by mid-to-late next week, with highs returning to the upper 70s to low 80s. This page will be updated if warnings change; check the National Weather Service for the latest official watches and advisories before heading out.
