Tropical Storm Isaias Barreling Towards Rhode Island

Tropical Storm Isaias is barreling toward New England, with the system expected to hit Rhode Island Tuesday and bring the possibility of power outages and even a tornado.

The worst of Isaias is expected to hit western Massachusetts, but Rhode Island will likely see heavy rain and strong wind gusts. A tropical storm watch is in effect for all of Rhode Island.

The fast-moving storm is expected to arrive Tuesday afternoon, staying for about six hours and bringing 1 to 3 inches of rain, though parts of the state could see less than an inch.

Strong winds ranging from 40 to 60 mph are expected to cause damage across the region, from fallen trees to power outages. The National Weather Service said the "situation is somewhat favorable for tornadoes."

Isaias was downgraded Saturday from a hurricane to a tropical storm. It's expected to regain hurricane strength as it reached the Carolinas Monday night, then weaken again after landfall.

When Isaias moves on, thunderstorms could stick around through much of Wednesday. The skies will clear up for a traditional summer day Thursday.

Here's the latest Rhode Island forecast from the National Weather Service.

Today
Sunny, with a high near 92. Southwest wind 10 to 14 mph.

Tonight
A slight chance of showers after midnight. Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 74. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Tuesday
A chance of showers before 9am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and 5pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 82. South wind 6 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 72. Windy, with a south wind 27 to 32 mph decreasing to 15 to 20 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Wednesday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Southwest wind 11 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming northwest after midnight.

Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 84. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.

Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Light and variable wind becoming east 5 to 7 mph in the morning.

Friday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.

Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming south in the afternoon.