RI Weather: High Winds, Possible Tornado Saturday Afternoon

PROVIDENCE, RI — The skies were clear and sunny to start the day on Saturday, but another round of severe weather is in the forecast for southern New England Saturday afternoon.

For the second day in a row, strong winds and isolated thunderstorms will be a threat in Rhode Island, bringing the possibility of large hail or even a tornado, the National Weather Service said.

The northwest half of the state is under a "slight" chance of severe weather Saturday afternoon, the second of five levels of concern. The rest of the state is "marginal," the first level. Expect storms from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., the NWS said.

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect across Rhode Island and much of the region until 7 p.m.

Here's a look at the latest forecast for Rhode Island.

Saturday Afternoon
Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. South wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night
Showers likely before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 34. Breezy, with a west wind 18 to 23 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Sunday
Increasing clouds, with a high near 52. West wind 7 to 9 mph.

Sunday Night
A chance of rain, mainly after 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Southwest wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Monday
A chance of rain, mainly between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Light west wind increasing to 8 to 13 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 32. West wind 11 to 13 mph.

Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 48. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 31. West wind 5 to 9 mph.

Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. South wind 6 to 14 mph.

Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southwest wind around 11 mph.

Thursday
A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Southwest wind 13 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Thursday Night
A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. West wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. West wind 9 to 13 mph.