Heavy travel and a mix of weather is expected on Memorial Day weekend, and Connecticut state police are reminding residents and visitors to be safe and keep others safe.
Showers are forecast for Friday and Saturday, with brighter, drier weather expected Sunday and Monday.
AAA predicts 39 million people will travel 50 miles or more in the U.S. during the holiday weekend, 3 million more than last year.
The 8.3% increase in travel will be the second highest growth for the Memorial Day weekend since 2010 and will bring total travel volume in line with 2017, according to AAA. Nearly 35 million people will travel by car, an increase of 4.6% and air travel will continue its rapid rebound, growing 25%, the travel service organization predicted.
Gas prices in Connecticut on Thursday averaged $4.68, compared with a national average of $4.60.
State police say troopers will conduct extra roving DUI patrols from Thursday evening through Monday evening. Police urge drivers and passengers to buckle up, obey speed limits, do not follow too closely, stay off cellphones while driving and never drink and drive.
“We rely on the motoring public to serve as our partners in road safety,” state police commander Col. Stavros Mellekas said.
Motorists also are reminded of the state’s “Move Over” law requiring drivers approaching stationary emergency vehicles to immediately slow to a speed below the posted speed limit, and if traveling in a lane next to an emergency vehicle, to move over one lane, unless it is unreasonable or unsafe.
Emergency vehicles include ambulances, fire and law enforcement vehicles, highway maintenance vehicles and licensed wreckers.
Troopers will employ all methods of enforcement to increase highway safety, including laser units for speed enforcement and marked and unmarked vehicles to patrol roadways.
Showers and a possible thunderstorm are forecast Friday night. Saturday also looks wet with showers likely after 1 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. Sunday is expected to be mostly sunny with a high temperature of 81 degrees, and sunny skies also are forecast for Memorial Day, with a high near 87.
One popular destination for the start of summer, Lake McDonough beach in Barkhamsted, will be closed due to a shortage of lifeguards, the Metropolitan District Commission announced Thursday.
The beach area will remain closed until further notice, according to the agency. MDC has not made a decision about the rest of the season as staff tries to address lifeguard staffing, a problem across the state. The boat launch at Lake McDonough remains open seven days a week.
Jesse Leavenworth can be reached at jleavenworth@courant.com.