Western Pa. slated for good weather, heavy travel Memorial Day weekend
As Western Pennsylvania residents choose how to spend Memorial Day, the weather is shaping up for an ideal three-day weekend outdoors, according to the National Weather Service.
Little chance of rain and steadily escalating temperatures are in the forecast, said Timothy Cermak, a meteorologist for the weather service’s Pittsburgh office in Moon Township.
Temperatures will reach into the low 60s Saturday and upper 60s on Sunday, dipping into the low to mid-40s in the evenings.
Partly cloudly skies and light wind Saturday are expected to shift into clear, precipitation free conditions Sunday.
“(That is) cooler than this time of year normally,” Cermak said, “but still nice weather.”
Conditions will continue to improve Memorial Day, with temperatures expected to break into the 70s, he said.
“We’re looking at highs in the low 70s, no chances of rain and partly cloudly, mostly sunny skies,” Cermak said. “So really the next couple days, really nice weather for Memorial Day weekend.”
Memorial Day Happenings:
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• 2025 Alle-Kiski Memorial Day Events
• The Wall That Heals, a Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica, in region for Memorial Day
The forecast falls in line for typical Western Pennsylvania Memorial Day conditions, Cermak said. The average temperature for this time of year is 74 degrees.
The predicted conditions will be ideal for the record nationwide road travel expected by auto club organization AAA.
The organization estimates 45.1 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home from May 22 to Monday — an increase in 1.4 million domestic travelers compared to 2024.
This would set a new record, breaking the 44 million Memorial Day weekend travelers recorded in 2005.
Locally, the turnpike anticipates nearly 2.2 million will travel the statewide road — nearly 3% higher than 2024. The bulk of the traffic — 715,000 motorists — was expected for Friday.
Quincey Reese is a TribLive reporter covering the Greensburg and Hempfield areas. She also does reporting for the Penn-Trafford Star. A Penn Township native, she joined the Trib in 2023 after working as a Jim Borden Scholarship intern at the company for two summers. She can be reached at qreese@triblive.com.
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