Veterans Issued Weather Warnings for Memorial Day Events
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Veterans attending Memorial Day events are potentially facing challenging weather conditions, as the U.S. is forecast for triple-digit heats in parts, while severe thunderstorms are expected in others.
Why It Matters
Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 26, with commemorative ceremonies hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs scheduled to take place across the country beginning on Friday.
Members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment place flags at the headstones of U.S. military personnel buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in preparation for Memorial Day on May 22, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia.
Members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment place flags at the headstones of U.S. military personnel buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in preparation for Memorial Day on May 22, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia.Parts of the southwestern U.S. are forecast to see highs reaching the triple digits this weekend, whilst other areas could see severe thunderstorms and even flooding.
What To Know
Numerous lower desert areas are forecast to see high temperatures ranging from the upper 90s to low 100s Fahrenheit on Memorial Day, AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham told Newsweek.
Major cities such as Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Palm Springs will be among those experiencing this intense heat, he said.
Memorial Day events are expected to draw around 100,000 attendees nationwide, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and states like Arizona and California, which are expecting some of the highest temperatures over the weekend, have multiple events planned during the day.
When asked what guidance older veterans should keep in mind when attending Memorial Day events during the hottest parts of the day, Buckingham responded: "Drinking plenty of hydrating fluids, refraining from strenuous exercise, and being able to recognize any of the initial signs of heat exhaustion and responding accordingly are recommended to keep individuals safe from the heat."
Elsewhere in the U.S., the main area at risk for severe weather on Memorial Day is projected to stretch from the southern Plains to the Southeast, where repeated rounds of rain and intense thunderstorms could bring damaging wind gusts, hail, and the potential for tornadoes, according to forecasters.
Throughout the holiday weekend and into Memorial Day, ongoing thunderstorms may also elevate the risk of serious flooding around the Ozarks region in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas, Buckingham told Newsweek.
"This could prove to be especially dangerous given the hilly terrain and the influx of campers and people planning on spending time outdoors in the area," he said.
What People Are Saying
AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham told Newsweek: "In terms of who will be the hottest, the deserts of southern Arizona and the deserts of interior Southern California will be the focus of the most extreme heat."
The National Weather Service said on X, Friday: "Daily – at least low – chances of severe weather will impact various part of the central and southern plains through the Memorial Day Holiday weekend.
"Remember too that strong winds, flash flooding, and hail aren't the only threats from thunderstorms. Lightning strikes can result in death or serious injury. If you hear thunder or see lightning, take shelter in an enclosed building or a hard-topped vehicle with the windows up."
What Happens Next
The VA says it will host Memorial Day ceremonies this weekend at more than 130 VA national cemeteries across the U.S.
The NWS issues regular forecast updates on its website.
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