Bundle Up! Cooler than Usual Memorial Day Weekend On Tap for State College: Frost Possible

The Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of the summer season. This year, the holiday may feel a little more like the start of spring.

The good news is that there is no rain in the forecast this weekend. The bad news is that people in town for Memorial Day will experience cooler weather than we’ve had in recent years.

Friday was an extremely chilly day in State College thanks to a cold front that moved into the area Thursday night.

Saturday will be a bit warmer according to AccuWeather senior meteorologist John Dlugoenski, who expects a high of 62 degrees.

“It will definitely be nicer than today,” Dlugoenski said Friday. “But still a little cool. The wind will make it feel more like an early spring or fall day as opposed to what late May is usually like.

Some frost could even hit the area Saturday night, and anyone with a garden is advised to cover plants or move them inside to prevent potential damage from the near-freezing temperatures.

Come Sunday, the temperature will keep climbing a bit, reaching a high of 65. Monday’s forecast is expected to be 72 degrees, which Dlugoenski calls a “normal high” for this time of year.

We’ve been above normal over the last few Memorial Days. The temperature in State College was 87, 90, and 85 degrees respectively from the 2010 through 2012. 2010 saw some rain, but precipitation should not be an issue this time around.

“I never like to say zero percent,” said Dlugoenski. “But it’s about as close to zero as you can get – Very little chance of rain.”

“Monday is definitely the nicest of the three-day weekend. It can get really warm towards the end of May, but those past three Memorial Days are more of the exception than the rule there.”

While no rain and sunny skies is welcome news to people attending barbecues and parades, it could put a halt to some other holiday activities.

Penn State student Matt Brady usually enjoys going swimming over the weekend, but he doesn’t think that’s in the cards this year.

“Memorial Day weekend is when most pools open, so I usually enjoy getting wet,” Brady said. “With the weather being colder than normal, I think I’ll pass on that this year and instead just focus on doing some cleaning and stuff around the house.

Ryan McNamara shares a similar sentiment as the unexpectedly chilly day has kept her from going outdoors and tanning.

“I was planning on spending a majority of my weekend outside,” she said. “Now I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do that.”

“Memorial Day thankfully does look nice though. I’m definitely planning on spending the whole day outside.”

Click HERE for the latest AccuWeather forecast for your Memorial Day weekend.

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