What is the weather like for Memorial Day weekend? What to expect

ATLANTA – A summer trend is taking hold across the Peach State for the unofficial start of summer. Throughout Memorial Day weekend, highs will be more typical of the 4th of July and daily storms will be a factor we avoid for outdoor projects.

In the North Georgia and Atlanta areas we will have highs in the upper 80s each afternoon with sultry and humid mornings in the upper 60s. We average temperatures in the 80s this time of year, so summer heat is well above average.

As the heat increases each day, scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop. These will be heaviest from mid-afternoon to early evening. None of the days look like blowouts, but there will be enough storm coverage that you’ll want to stay on top of cloud formation and incoming storms for your outdoor projects. The chance of rain each day is about 40%. So we expect scattered coverage of showers and storms each afternoon, but no day appears to have widespread storm coverage.

This possibility of a few daily storms will also impact the region’s lakes. Lake Lanier currently sits at 1,071.66 feet, 0.66 feet above full pool. Daily winds are expected to blow from the southwest between 5 and 10 knots.

RELATED: Heatwave Bringing Hottest Temperatures of the Year So Far to Atlanta

If you’re traveling to the beach this weekend, or elsewhere in the Southeast, the daily heat, humidity and storms could be a factor.

Friday, the greatest coverage of showers and storms will extend from the Midwest to the Ohio Valley. A few showers/storms will be possible along the Emerald Coast and along the Carolinas. Heat is expected to dominate the Florida peninsula and rain chances are low overall. The heat also continues to rise in Texas.

SATURDAY looks scorching across the Southeast with highs in the upper 80s and low 90s. Daily pop-up storms will be possible across Georgia. Rain chances appear lower across the coastal Carolinas to the Outer Banks. Florida will be dominated by high pressure overall, leading to highs in the low to mid 90s and a low chance of showers or storms. Heat dominates the southwest to southern Texas. More showers will move into the Pacific Northwest. Showers arrive late in the I-95 corridor in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast.

SundayIt is the forecast is reminiscent of Saturday: hot and humid throughout the Southeast with a few sudden storms. The heaviest shower and storm coverage will be focused over the Corn Belt into the Tennessee Valley. Rain is forecast for the Indy 500 Sunday afternoon, which will be featured on 11Alive. Scattered activity will again develop from Georgia to the Carolinas. The Gulf Coast appears warm and relatively dry. Highs reach the 90s with little relief in terms of rain. This heat is getting worse in Texas. The Northeast appears warm and relatively dry.

Remembrance Day brings another chance for scattered showers and storms across the Southeast and into the mid-Atlantic. Florida is warm again with less chance of rain. Dry weather dominates across the Four Corners to Texas, with heat exacerbating the southern U.S. border. Wet weather will be the story across the Northeast.

For a more in-depth look at the forecast for the Atlanta area, check out our daily 11Alive StormTracker. Local weather forecast.