Hurricane Force Winds, Wet Snow, Flooding Could Hit RI: NWS

NARRAGANSETT, RI—Thursday may look like a beach day, but the weather picture for Rhode Island is darkening, according to the National Weather Service's storm briefing issued at 8:21 Thursday morning. All of southeast New England now is under a Hurricane Force Wind Watch, though the Cape and Islands are expected to see the worst property damage and power outages.

The forecasters say there's lower confidence in the chance of wet snow in Providence and northern Rhode Island, but they are predicting one to two inches is likely. A worst case scenario increases the snow totals to 8 inches for much of the state.

Rhode Island faces marine hazards (25 to 35 foot seas with winds gusting between 55 and 65 knots), strong winds (sufficient to down trees and knock out power), heavy rain (likely to cause some street flooding, while some rivers and small streams could reach flood stage), and rain changing over to wet snow. The timing of everything except the snow is Friday into Saturday. The snow, if it's coming, would materialize Friday afternoon into Friday night.

The NSWS also rated the risks on a scale from None to Extreme. Rhode Island's marine hazards and wind damage risk is Extreme. According to the chart, the risk of flooding and wet snow is Elevated.

Turning to the chance of coastal flooding, Rhode Island's risk, which is rated minor, extends all the way up Narragansett Bay, as well as along the beaches. According to the weather service, the scenario looks like this:

Vulnerable shore roads flooded with up to a foot of water. • Most roads remain passable but some may be closed briefly around high tide. • Some basements may flood. • Beach erosion possible due to rough surf.

Two to three inches of rain is expected before it all winds down Saturday night. But four inches are a possibility. Stay with Patch for the latest updates.

Photo Courtesy National Weather Service