Showers continue to threaten Cincinnati’s Memorial Day Weekend.
Heavy rain and a flood watch on May 22 dampened Taste of Cincinnati’s 2026 opening day, requiring the even to shut down two hours early − as well as requiring Enquirer’s food writer to buy a new raincoat. Persistent rain also postponed a Friday Reds game against the Cardinals to Saturday.
Meteorologists at the National Weather Service of Wilmington said Cincinnati residents and Taste attendees should expect showers and thunderstorms, with rain chances gradually falling through the weekend.
Plan around the Cincinnati rain
Taste of Cincinnati continues 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday. The Reds play a double-header against the Cardinals 1:10 p.m. Saturday at the Great American Ball Park.
What are the chances you will get soaked attending these events and what are the best times to avoid the rain? Here’s what we know:
The good news is that the “greatest heavy rain threat has moved out of the region,” according to the forecast discussion posted by the National Weather Service in Wilmington.
However, shower and storm chances loom above 50% Saturday and Sunday, dropping to 40% on Monday.
Saturday: Rain chances are highest before 9 a.m. Chances drop after, dipping below 20% at noon and below 10% through midnight. There’s a slight chance of thunderstorms between 1 to 3 p.m.
Sunday: Rain chances are below 10% through 1 p.m. Chances jump to 60% between 1 and 8 p.m. There’s a chance of thunderstorms between 2 and 7 p.m.
Monday: Rain chances climb to 40% by 8 a.m. and stay there through 7 p.m. No rain chances are forecast after that through midnight. There’s a slight chance of thunderstorms between 2 and 7 p.m.
Greater Cincinnati’s 7-Day forecast
Saturday: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 1 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 77. Southwest wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday night: Mostly cloudy with a low around 60.
Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Light south wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Memorial Day: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Light northeast wind. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday night: A slight chance of thunderstorms before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers after 2 a.m.. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Tuesday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. High near 81. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Wednesday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Thursday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Thursday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Friday: A chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Source: National Weather Service in Wilmington
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Dodging the rain? Here’s when Cincinnati sees breaks this weekend
Reporting by Matthew Cupelli and Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
