RI Hazardous Weather Outlook: Strong Storms, Heavy Winds Possible

Forecasters are expecting another round of thunderstorms to come across the state as summer-like temperatures disappear and a cold front brings heavy winds to Rhode Island. "Strong to severe thunderstorms" are possible late this afternoon into the evening, prompting the National Weather Service to call for a hazardous weather outlook across Rhode Island.

Temperatures will drop late tonight as heavy wind gusts materialize. It's enough for the NWS to call for a wind advisory out to about I-495 in Massachusetts, but Rhode Island should avoid the worst of that.

The Storm Prediction Center is warning of a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms. The warning means isolated severe storms are possible, as is a tornado due to the potentially heavy wind gusts. The tornado is not likely, however.

The farther east you are, the better chance of avoiding a storm. The Weather Channel says the Providence area is slated to get some isolated storms around 9 p.m.

The afternoon highs Friday will once again be in the 80s, but tonight's temperature downturn will begin a significant dip from the warm days we've had this week. Temperatures will bottom out Tuesday close to 40 degrees before rebounding a bit Wednesday.