We have been talking about this stretch all week, and today is the main event. No sugarcoating it: this is a genuinely miserable holiday weekend day. Overcast skies are locked in from sunrise to sunset, periods of rain will roll through on and off with varying intensity, and you can count on at least a few healthy downpours mixed in with lighter stretches. That is just the nature of what we have set up today. The silver lining, if you want to call it that, is that it is not a wall-to-wall washout every single minute. But the baseline mood? Firmly, stubbornly grey.
A stiff northeast wind is the real story behind those bone-chilling temperatures. High pressure sitting to our north has been pumping in a relentless NE flow, and that cold ocean air is winning the battle against any hope of warmth. With water temperatures in the middle 50s offshore, there is simply no mechanism to squeeze much heat out of this setup. Highs will only reach the lower to middle 50s, and the wind will make it feel every bit as cold as it sounds. Today is tailor-made for a fire in the fireplace, a good book, and a long binge of whatever you have queued up. No shame in that game whatsoever.
Mainland (Vineland, Hammonton, Mays Landing, Millville)
- High: 52 to 55°F (feels like upper 40s with the wind)
- Overcast all day with periods of rain and embedded downpours throughout
- Northeast wind 10 to 20 mph, gusts to 25 to 30 mph at times
- Humidity up, but it is the cold, damp, raw kind. Not exactly beach weather by any stretch.
Shore (Cape May to LBI, Atlantic City, Ocean City)
- High: 50 to 53°F at the immediate shoreline, maybe 54 to 56°F just a mile or two inland
- No sea breeze drama needed today. The northeast wind is already doing plenty of damage on its own.
- Water temperatures in the middle 50s. The ocean is cold, angry, and not interested in making friends today.
- Rain and spray will limit visibility at times. UV is a non-issue. SPF is the least of your worries.
Sunday Afternoon Brings Some Hope
Areas of showers and rain continue overnight and linger into the first part of Sunday morning. Overnight lows hover right around 50, so not a dramatic change from where we spend the day. But here is where things get a little more encouraging: the rain looks to shut off by early afternoon Sunday. The second half of the day should be relatively dry, and highs rebound nicely into the low to mid 60s. It is not a party, but it is a significant improvement. Take the win.
Looking Ahead: The Rest of the Holiday Weekend and Into Next Week
Per the Weather Prediction Center and Climate Prediction Center, here is how the next several days are shaping up:
| Day | Outlook | Highs |
|---|---|---|
| Sun, May 24 | Lingering morning showers, drying out by afternoon | Low to mid 60s |
| Mon, May 25 | Best day of the stretch. Mostly dry, patches of sun, spotty shower chance | Near 70°F |
| Tue, May 26 | Warming trend begins, increasing clouds possible | Mid to upper 70s |
| Wed-Thu, May 27-28 | Warmest stretch of the outlook, summer-like heat returns | Low to mid 80s |
The CPC’s 6 to 10 day outlook is leaning toward above-normal temperatures and near-normal precipitation for our region. In plain English: after the holiday weekend chill, the warmth comes roaring back. Because of course it does.
Bottom line: Survive today. Take Sunday afternoon. Enjoy Monday on the Memorial Day holiday. Then brace for the 80s to show up fashionably late to the party, just in time for the regular work week.
Today’s Game Plan
- Morning/Midday: Stay inside if you can. If you must go out, layer up, grab a waterproof jacket, and accept your fate gracefully.
- Afternoon/Evening: More of the same. Rain, wind, grey. Find that fire, find that show, find a good bowl of soup. Today demands comfort food and indoor activities.
- Tonight: Rain continues into the overnight hours. Temps hold near 50. Keep the layers handy and know that Sunday is already on the way.
Look, sometimes the weather hands us a rough one. Today is that day. But South Jersey has seen plenty of bad weather days, and we always come out the other side. Sunday afternoon is waiting for you. Hang tight.
