Rare May nor’easter disrupts East Coast with heavy rain, winds, and cold ahead of Memorial Day

A rare late-season nor’easter intensified over the northeastern United States on Wednesday, 21 May 2025, bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds, and unseasonably cold temperatures from the Mid-Atlantic to New England. The storm system, first flagged by the U.S. National Weather Service on Tuesday night, is disrupting travel and weather-sensitive infrastructure just ahead of the Memorial Day weekend, one of the busiest annual periods for holiday movement.

The storm, characterized by sustained rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches and wind gusts up to 50 mph, is expected to continue through Friday, according to regional forecasts. Widespread impacts are being reported in coastal states including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and parts of Vermont and New Hampshire, where snowfall has been observed in higher elevations.

What Is Causing the May 2025 Nor’easter?

Nor’easters typically develop between late fall and early spring, drawing strength from sharp contrasts between cold continental air and warm Atlantic waters. According to meteorologists from the National Weather Service and local affiliate forecasts in Boston and New York, this week’s event is being driven by a powerful upper-level trough and a strong jet stream drawing unusually cold air from Canada into the northeastern U.S.

Weather experts have noted the rarity of such systems in late May. The current nor’easter is being compared to historical anomalies, with only a few such events recorded this late in spring in the last 35 years. The intensity of the current storm has also drawn attention due to its March-like atmospheric signature, despite the calendar indicating late May.

What Areas Are Facing the Heaviest Impact?

Urban and coastal areas across the Northeast are facing the brunt of the storm. New York City has experienced steady rain and wind-driven disruptions, including delays at John F. Kennedy International Airport and localized street flooding. The National Weather Service issued flood advisories for low-lying parts of Manhattan and Queens. In Boston, meteorologists from WBZ-TV reported sustained winds exceeding 45 mph and persistent rain affecting commuter traffic and air operations at Logan International Airport.

Connecticut is experiencing some of the coldest May weather in over a century. The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services reported high temperatures struggling to exceed 50°F in Hartford and Bridgeport, and flood watches are in place for Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, and New London counties.

Inland areas such as Vermont and New Hampshire are seeing an unusual weather phenomenon for late May—snow. The higher elevations of the White Mountains have recorded snowfall accumulation, prompting warnings from park rangers about treacherous hiking conditions and limited visibility due to fog and wind-blown snow.

How Is the Nor’easter Affecting Travel Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend?

The timing of the nor’easter is particularly disruptive, coming days before Memorial Day weekend, traditionally regarded as the unofficial start of summer travel in the U.S. Airlines have reported delays across multiple East Coast airports, including LaGuardia, Newark Liberty, and Philadelphia International. Amtrak has also issued service updates, warning of slower rail travel along the Northeast Corridor due to wet tracks and high wind conditions.

Traffic congestion is being exacerbated by weather-related delays, with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation advising drivers to avoid coastal routes where flooding and tree debris have made several roads impassable. In Rhode Island, authorities closed parts of the Ocean Drive Scenic Route near Newport due to coastal wave surges and debris hazards.

Public transportation in cities like Boston and New York remains operational but under cautionary advisories due to weather. Subway systems, especially above-ground lines, are subject to delays from water intrusion and signal disruptions.

Are Coastal and Marine Areas at Risk?

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued small craft advisories and gale warnings for much of the New England coastline. Wave heights are expected to reach 10 feet in exposed areas, prompting officials to discourage marine activity until at least Friday afternoon.

Coastal communities are also experiencing minor to moderate tidal flooding. In Long Island’s South Shore communities and southeastern Massachusetts, emergency services have deployed pumps and barriers in anticipation of high tide surges. Residents in at-risk zones have been urged to relocate vehicles and secure loose outdoor items.

Beach safety advisories are in effect from New Jersey to Maine, with lifeguards on alert for rip currents and high surf, despite the limited footfall due to the inclement weather.

What Do Experts Say About the Storm’s Significance?

Weather analysts at AccuWeather and The Weather Channel have highlighted this storm as a prime example of lingering cold-season dynamics in an era of increasing atmospheric volatility. While individual storms cannot be directly attributed to climate change, experts from Columbia University’s Earth Institute have emphasized that warmer Arctic temperatures can disrupt the polar jet stream, allowing cold air to dive southward even in late spring.

Such jet stream meanders are more likely to produce unusual seasonal weather events, including May nor’easters, unseasonal snow, or extreme rainfall.

What’s the Outlook for the Weekend?

According to the latest model runs from the National Weather Service’s regional offices in Taunton, Massachusetts and Upton, New York, the storm is expected to gradually weaken by late Friday, with residual showers continuing into Saturday in parts of New England. Temperatures will slowly rebound into the low to mid-60s by Sunday.

However, ground saturation, minor flooding, and residual wind damage are expected to remain obstacles to full recovery for outdoor events and travel during the first half of the holiday weekend.

Emergency Response and Public Safety Guidance

State emergency agencies across the Northeast have activated coordinated response plans. Local crews are clearing debris, unclogging storm drains, and attending to scattered power outages caused by fallen branches and snapped power lines. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont’s office released a statement urging residents to remain indoors during peak gust hours and avoid unnecessary travel until floodwaters recede.

In Massachusetts, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security is coordinating shelter availability and emergency contact points for vulnerable populations, including the elderly and those in mobile home communities near coastal flood zones.

The Red Cross has also positioned relief teams and supplies in anticipation of potential evacuation support, especially in Rhode Island and coastal Connecticut, where low-lying communities remain susceptible to storm surge and heavy runoff.

What Should Residents and Travelers Expect Next?

Residents are advised to remain cautious and follow updates from the National Weather Service and local agencies. Those traveling by road or air should anticipate residual delays and adjust plans accordingly. Travelers heading into or out of the Northeast Corridor should monitor alerts from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Amtrak, and state departments of transportation.

With lingering rainfall and sub-average temperatures expected to persist through Saturday morning, Memorial Day celebrations may be delayed or scaled down in affected regions. However, Sunday and Monday offer a brighter forecast, with drier skies and a slow return to normal seasonal conditions.