Storm systems this Memorial Day weekend will put a damper on travel for truckers, whether they’re trying to get home or they’re choosing to work.
Storms caused flash flooding Friday morning from Springfield, Missouri, to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Fort Smith, Arkansas. Up to 4 inches fell over just a few hours, and the National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings.
Storms could produce similar results from the southern Plains to portions of the Southeast and Northeast through Friday night. Drivers may hit areas of hail and strong winds along the way, but severe weather will not be widespread.
Storms will linger along parts of the East and Gulf coasts Saturday, Sunday and Memorial Day, with heavy rain here and there.
By Saturday night or Sunday, the first in a series of thunderstorm rounds could return to the Plains, from Texas and New Mexico to Colorado and Nebraska. On Memorial Day, storms may spread eastward into Missouri, as well as westward into the Rockies. There’s potential for spots of large hail and severe winds, but the biggest threat will probably be flooding rain. Drivers may hit ramp and road closures.
Other notable weekend weather
An early-season heat wave will scorch northern California beginning Sunday. As strong high pressure builds across the area, afternoon temperatures will reach the upper 90s to just above 100 degrees. Additional warming is likely Memorial Day and Tuesday, with highs in localized areas of the central and northern Sacramento Valley approaching 108 degrees. Drivers will feel the heat in places such as Sacramento, Redding, Stockton, Chico and Modesto.
Click here for more FreightWaves articles by Nick Austin.
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