NEWS

Rain dampers Memorial Day, more on way for Middle TN

Jason Gonzales
USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

Rain put a damper on many Memorial Day services as on-and-off precipitation fell Monday throughout Middle Tennessee.

The weather caused the cancellation of a 1 p.m. memorial service at the Nashville National Cemetery, and dozens of music fans sat underneath umbrellas early Monday afternoon at the free Music City Blues Festival at Centennial Park. The wet weather also left many vacationers hoping for a fairer kickoff to summer activities outdoors.

Thousands were expected to travel during the holiday weekend. AAA predicted 755,000 traveled more than 50 miles from home for Memorial Day,which is up 4.6 percent from last year. Of those, 669,000 were expected to travel by car; 55,000 by air; and about 31,000 using another mode of transportation.

And more rain is in store for Middle Tennessee. The National Weather Service says rain will continue through Sunday with the possibility of thunderstorms.

"There's less chance of a threat of severe weather, but we will keep thunderstorms in the forecast throughout week," said Brittney Whitehead, meteorologist with the Nashville National Weather Service offices.

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday bring a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms. Daytime temperatures during the week are expected to hover in the 80s, and nightfall will bring cooler temperatures in the 60s.

Although Gwendolyn Santiago wasn’t the only person at the Music City Blues Spring Festival at Centennial Park, the crowd was small early in the day as rain fell steadily Monday, May 25.

Reach Jason Gonzales at 615-259-8047 and on Twitter @ByJasonGonzales.