Memorial Day Weekend travel predicted to be busiest in decades as severe thunderstorms threaten the holiday: Live

Memorial Day weekend travel may be disrupted by severe thunderstorms rolling into the northeast on Thursday.

Thunderstorms will hit Interstate 95 — the main north-south freeway connecting the East Coast — in Pennsylvania and New Jersey as Memorial Day weekend travel begins Thursday, the National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts.

The storms could bring heavy rain, hail and strong wind gusts, according to the NWS. These conditions may cause delays and dangerous conditions for Memorial Day travellers getting an early start to their weekend.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) predicts this weekend will bring the heaviest Memorial Day travel in nearly 20 years.

Some 43.8m people will likely travel at least 50 miles over the weekend, with most of them taking road trips, the AAA said.

The Transportation Security Administration expects some 3m people to pass through security checkpoints this weekend. United Airlines predicts its biggest Memorial Day weekend, with nearly 10 per cent more passengers than in 2023.

Forecasted rain and thunderstorms may also cause air travel delays in the Great Lakes region on Friday. These storms could last through Sunday, the NWS forecasts.

Thursday will be the busiest day for air travel, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said.

Key Points

• Memorial Day travel expected to hit highest numbers since 2005

• Severe thunderstorms to hit Pennsylvania, New Jersey today

• Storms near Great Lakes could impact air travel on Friday

• Memorial Day flight forecasts

Memorial Day flight forecasts

15:45 , Katie Hawkinson

Thursday will be the busiest day for Memorial Day air travel, according to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

Air travel will gradually dip until Sunday, where it will hit its lowest point, before rising again on Monday and Tuesday.

Air travel going strong on Thursday

15:25 , Katie Hawkinson

Only 78 flights into, out of or within the US have been cancelled so far this morning, according to FlightAware.

For comparison, travellers on Wednesday saw nearly 500 cancellations.

While air travel may continue to go strong today, a cold front could thunderstorms to the Great Lakes region on Friday, potentially impacting air travel for Memorial Day weekend.

The Transportation Security Administration expects at least 3m people to pass through security checkpoints this weekend. Meanwhile, United Airlines predicts its biggest Memorial Day weekend, with nearly 10 per cent more passengers than in 2023.

New York facing severe thunderstorms

15:10 , Katie Hawkinson

New York City is facing severe thunderstorms with 60-mile-per-hour wind gusts and penny-sized hail as Memorial Day travel begins in earnest today, according to the National Weather Service.

The NWS is warning residents to expect downed trees and power lines.

Storms near Great Lakes could impact air travel tomorrow

15:00 , Katie Hawkinson

A cold front may bring thunderstorms to the Great Lakes region on Friday, potentially impacting air travel as Memorial Day weekend kicks off.

These storms could last through Sunday, the National Weather Service forecasts.

The Transportation Security Administration expects at least 3m people to pass through security checkpoints this weekend as airports brace for heavy traffic.

Severe thunderstorms to hit Pennsylvania, New Jersey today

14:45 , Katie Hawkinson

Severe thunderstorms bringing the potential for heavy rain, hail and wind gusts will hit eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey today, according to the National Weather Service.

The storms will center over Interstate 95, the main north-south freeway on the east coast, as Memorial Day travel kicks off in earnest.

Memorial Day travel expected to hit highest numbers since 2005

14:37 , Katie Hawkinson

The American Automobile Association (AAA) predicts this weekend will bring the heaviest Memorial Day travel in nearly 20 years.

Some 43.8m people will likely travel at least 50 miles over the weekend, with most of them taking road trips, the AAA said, a 4 per cent increase from 2023. Most of those travellers will take a car to their destination, the AAA predicts.

Meanwhile, the Transportation Security Administration expects at least 3m people to pass through security checkpoints this weekend as airports brace for heavy traffic.