Why Is Memorial Day So Cool and Cloudy This Year?

Rowan County Weather | May 26, 2025

If you’ve stepped outside this Memorial Day expecting warmth and sunshine, you’re likely a little surprised — and maybe even reaching for a jacket.

Rowan County is experiencing one of its coolest and cloudiest Memorial Days in years, with high temperatures struggling to reach the low 60s and overcast skies dominating the day. So what’s going on?

The Setup: Northeast Flow and a Weather Phenomenon Called the “Carolina Wedge”

This morning’s weather is being driven by a setup known as Cold Air Damming — something many locals refer to as the Carolina Wedge.

Here’s what that means:

A high-pressure system positioned north of North Carolina is pushing cool, dry air southward along the eastern side of the Appalachian Mountains. Meanwhile, a coastal low-pressure system off the Southeast coast is pulling moisture inland from the Atlantic. When those two forces combine, it traps a shallow layer of cold, dense air against the mountains, wedging it into the Piedmont — including Rowan County.

This “wedge” of cooler air causes:

• Cloudy skies that linger all day

• Patchy fog, especially in the mornings

• Drizzle or light rain, particularly late in the day

• Temperatures that stay 15–20 degrees below normal

It’s a well-known pattern here in the Carolinas and can be very stubborn. Once in place, a wedge like this can take days to break.

Is This Normal for Memorial Day?

Not at all. Memorial Day is usually one of the first weekends Rowan County starts to feel like summer. Here’s a quick look at past Memorial Day highs:

• 2024: 84° and sunny

• 2023: 81° with afternoon storms

• 2022: 88° and humid

• 2021: 79° with light rain

• 2025: 63° and cloudy (forecast)

This year’s setup is well below the average Memorial Day high of 83°.

What Comes Next?

The wedge pattern will remain in place through Tuesday, keeping temperatures cool and skies overcast. By midweek, the wedge will weaken slightly, but scattered showers and a few thunderstorms are expected to continue through Wednesday.

A gradual warm-up is possible by Thursday or Friday — but don’t expect full sun until late in the week.

Stay with Rowan County Weather for the latest on this wedge pattern, radar updates, and timing of when the sun might finally break through. And remember: cooler weather means lower pollen and a boost for spring gardens — even if it’s not ideal for grilling.