Weather Wrecks Unofficial Start to Summer, Pushes Bethpage Air Show to Memorial Day

Beaches stayed empty, boardwalk foot traffic slowed, and the big return of the Bethpage Air Show canceled for two days as the rain and wind continue damped most outdoor plans, resting all hopes of a sunny holiday weekend on Memorial Day's shoulders.

The weekend that is supposed to be the unofficial start of summer has kept many inside on what was expected to be a joyous and raucous time, with many looking to get outside and enjoy some of the activities long restricted thanks to COVID. But mother nature had other plans for the weekend.

Poor weather conditions canceled the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach on Sunday, for a second day. Lucky spectators that showed up Friday to catch rehearsals were able to catch a few hours of fun before the rain started.

In a late weekend surprise, organizers of the air show announced an abbreviated show would be held at the beach on Monday afternoon. It'll be the first time the event has been held on Memorial Day since the air show started in 2004.

Tickets for Saturday and Sunday's show will be honored on Monday, organizers said. The air performances will fly between 12 and 3 p.m.

Instead of warm sunshine, Saturday and Sunday have felt more like March instead of May — with temperatures approaching, even breaking, record lows for this time of year. Storm Team 4 said Saturday was the coldest May 29 ever recorded and nearly 40 degrees colder than last Saturday.

Showers will pick back up around midnight and into Sunday, with rain continuing throughout the day and temperatures staying in the 50s.

The thinnest of silver linings? Don't expect a complete downpour the entire weekend, but rain will certainly be the headline through Sunday. Total rainfall for the weekend could exceed three inches in some areas, Storm Team 4 says.

Persistent east winds will keep coastal areas at risk for minor coastal flooding for high tides this evening and perhaps tomorrow’s high tides, too. Gusts upwards of 35 mph are expected at the shore.

By Memorial Day, the rain will finally pull away, but slowly. Temperatures will climb back into the low 70s, which is still cooler than normal for this time of year — so bring a light jacket or sweater if you have any outdoor plans. There is some hope for a few peeks of sunshine to break through before the day's end, though the ground will still be soaked, so expect muddy conditions.

Tuesday, the start of meteorological summer, will feel much better. Skies clear a bit and temps warm up to the mid 70s. Temperatures climb slightly throughout the week, as showers likely move back in before the weekend.