"The holiday weekend started off with one of the coldest days on record in late May," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys. "While the cooler and wetter weather might be beneficial for the ground and for the grass, it wasn't for those trying to get outside."
Signs of change were already afoot on Sunday, as high pressure was building in parts of the Midwest. By later on Memorial Day, that drier weather will begin to arrive in the Northeast states.
Showers will exit to the east across north-central New York this morning. Patchy fog and clouds will give way to sunshine this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/1JZWgnBqmR
— NWS Buffalo (@NWSBUFFALO) May 25, 2026
"Some improvement is expected on Memorial Day, with sunshine expected to break out, allowing for some parades and observances to take place in dry conditions," added Roys.
While patchy fog and low clouds will linger through the morning, sunshine will increase from west to east Monday afternoon. Highs will reach the low to mid 70's for lower elevations and upper 60's for higher terrain.
"Temperatures will edge closer to the historical average following Memorial Day for many in the Northeast," said Roys. "This will be a welcome sight after having practically no transition from early spring cool to midsummer warmth last week."
Mostly sunny conditions will continue into Tuesday, with temperatures in the upper 70's to low 80's. Southwest winds are expected to increase on the northern side of the departing high Tuesday. This will result in cooler temperatures near and downwind of the Lakes.
Mainly dry and seasonable weather Thursday through next weekend.
"Temperatures will edge closer to the historical average following Memorial Day."
"Temperatures will edge closer to the historical average following Memorial Day."
