RI Weather: Thunderstorms Possible Thursday Afternoon

RHODE ISLAND — After a week of sunny, springlike weather, thunderstorms are headed to Southern New England Thursday afternoon and evening, with severe weather in the forecast for some areas.

Thunderstorms are expected to move in from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., though Rhode Island likely won't see the worst of it. Western Massachusetts and Connecticut have the highest chance of severe weather. About half of Rhode Island could see "isolated" severe thunderstorms, the National Weather Service said, with the possibility of wind gusts from 40 to 60 mph, scattered hail and low tornado risk. The eastern half of the state is expected to see less severe thunderstorms, with winds under 40 mph and chances for lightning and downpours.

Mostly sunny skies will stick around until the early afternoon, before clouds gather and the storms move in. The rain is expected to clear up by about 11 p.m., ahead of another day of temperatures in the mid-60s on Friday.

Here's a look at the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.

Thursday
Partly sunny, with a high near 66. Calm wind becoming southeast 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight
A chance of rain and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 p.m. and midnight, then a slight chance of showers after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 47. Northeast wind 7 to 9 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 66. Northwest wind 6 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.

Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Southwest wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Saturday
A slight chance of showers after 3 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. South wind 8 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Saturday Night
A chance of showers, mainly before 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Southwest wind 6 to 9 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Easter
Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Northwest wind 9 to 13 mph.

Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 38. Northwest wind 7 to 10 mph.

Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Monday Night
A chance of showers after 9 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Southeast wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.