Labor Day weekend forecast: Winners and losers of summer’s last hurrah
FOX Forecast Center's Labor Day weekend weather outlook is here. Overall, it will be a gorgeous weekend for millions, but some will have rain and colder temperatures to contend with.
Labor Day travel forecast: Colder temperatures and rain across US
FOX Weather Meteorologists Britta Merwin and Michael Estime have the first look at the FOX Forecast Center's Labor Day weekend weather outlook. Overall, it will be a gorgeous weekend for million, but some will have rain and colder temperatures to contend with.
Labor Day weekend will offer a mixed bag of weather for the country, with an ongoing cooldown for millions and a little rain here and there. Mostly, however, there is a pleasant forecast as Americans celebrate summer’s last big weekend.
The FOX Forecast Center has pegged a few cities as "winners" for the holiday weekend and some "losers." Take the negative title with a grain of salt. Overall, a few showers and cooler temperatures won’t ruin the weekend.
FILE: A woman sits on the beach on September 1, 2024 in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.
(Allison Joyce / Getty Images)
Friday: West Coast winning forecast
Early air travelers on Friday across the Southeast and Northeast may face some delays from storms, but on the West Coast, a slight relief from the recent heat will be welcome.
(FOX Weather)
According to AAA, if you are traveling by car during Labor Day weekend, the best time to drive is before lunch. Those getting an early start on Friday, or even Thursday, will face less traffic before 1 p.m.
Saturday: The Sunshine State becomes the soggy state
As we begin the weekend, let’s get to the bad news first. Rain chances are up across Florida and the Southern and Northern Plains on Saturday and Sunday. Florida’s soggy stretch with afternoon thunderstorms might limit beach time for some, but early risers can still hit the sand with plenty of time left in the day.
Saturday will be the busiest travel day of the weekend.
"The worst times to drive over the holiday weekend are typically in the afternoon and early evening," the AAA said. "Saturday is expected to be extra busy with many drivers heading out of town or taking day trips."
(FOX Weather)
Sunday: Clear across the mid-Atlantic
In the mid-Atlantic, the FOX Forecast Center has pegged Ocean City, Maryland, as a true winner for the weekend. With high temperatures in the low 70s and no rain, it will be a perfect beach weekend to say farewell to summer.
Meanwhile, Hilton Head, South Carolina, is looking at higher rain chances on Sunday and Labor Day.
(FOX Weather)
Farther west, a stalled front will keep things rainy throughout most of the week across the Southwest and Southern Plains. Flash flooding is possible across this area as rain and storm chances continue through Monday.
(FOX Weather)
Labor Day: Cooler for many, still hot for West Coast
According to the FOX Forecast Center, there is great news this weekend for the Midwest, Northeast and West Coast. Across the central U.S., it should remain dry with temperatures about 10-15 degrees below average.
(FOX Weather)
The West Coast will remain warm and toasty as late summer heat remains locked in place.
As far as the tropics go, FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross says "nothing obvious is cooking" and overall conditions are hostile to any development. After Tropical Storm Fernand dies out, the tropics appear to be taking a snooze, as far as long-range forecasts go.