Graduation Ceremonies In The Rain. Why Is That Still Happening?

InnovationScienceGraduation Ceremonies In The Rain. Why Is That Still Happening?ByMarshall Shepherd,Senior Contributor.Follow AuthorMay 24, 2026, 08:58am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.UNITED STATES - MAY 16: Graduates take cover from the rain during Columbia College Class Day, a ceremony and reception for the students and families of Columbia College, at the Morningside campus. (Photo by Michael Appleton/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)NY Daily News via Getty ImagesIt’s graduation season and an exciting time of year for many families. As the father of a college graduate in the Class of 2026, I strongly resonate with the moment. That’s why I was acutely aware of all of the outdoor graduation ceremonies this spring that were affected by rain. As a meteorologist, it baffles me in the current era of weather information that this is still happening. Let’s dig deeper.Statements like “let’s hope” or “we’ll wait and see” are not viable planning strategies in the modern era of weather forecasting. Earlier this week, I was speaking with a colleague about a local high commencement ceremony being held outside. “If I was advising the school, I would suggest moving the ceremony up in time,” I told him that morning. Why did I say that? “Locally heavy rainfall and a subsequent flash/urban flooding threat is possible given the moist environment, particularly where any training or anchoring of storms could occur. Exact timing of most widespread convection is a bit tricky, though redevelopment and more widespread coverage is favored by late afternoon into this evening,” wrote the National Weather Service on Friday morning. I also examined the best high resolution forecast models. Twelve hours in advance, they clearly indicated that widespread rain would move into that area after 7 pm. The ceremony that my colleague spoke about started at or around that time. The school announced later in...