Thu May 22 23:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Rare May Nor’easter to Dampen Memorial Day Weekend in Northeast

**New York, NY -** Memorial Day weekend, the traditional kickoff to summer, will feel more like early March for residents of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic as a rare May nor’easter brings soaking rain, gusty winds, and unusually chilly temperatures to the region.

A one-two punch of storms is already delivering miserable weather that is expected to persist into the holiday weekend, prompting travel concerns and outdoor activity adjustments. Nor’easters, coastal storms that typically occur from September through April, are unusual this late in the spring, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

This atypical weather pattern is being attributed to an unusual temperature clash between the Arctic and the Atlantic. Record heat in parts of the Arctic, including Iceland, Greenland, and Arctic Canada, has pushed colder air further south than normal for this time of year, creating the conditions necessary to fuel the nor’easter. Experts are studying the connection between a warming Arctic and the intensity of these storms.

While this nor’easter is not expected to be as powerful as some of its winter counterparts, it will still bring significant rainfall. Most of the Northeast can expect up to 2 inches of rain from Wednesday through Saturday, with some areas of southern New England, New Jersey, and New York potentially receiving closer to 3 inches. Recent wet conditions in the region have raised concerns about localized flooding.

Breezy conditions are also expected, particularly in southern New England, and the combination of saturated soils, rain, and gusty winds could lead to downed trees and power lines. Travel disruptions are also possible at area airports and on roadways.

While damp weather may linger into Sunday, temperatures are expected to rebound just in time for Memorial Day on Monday, bringing seasonable temperatures and sunshine back to much of the Northeast.

_(CNN Meteorologist Derek Van Dam contributed to this report.)_

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