RI Weather: Flash Flood Watch Ahead Of Downpours, Storms

A flash flood watch has been called for all of Rhode Island as potentially heavy downfalls and thunderstorms are expected to wash over the region. The watch will be in effect through Sunday morning.

The rain is expected to start some time before noon Saturday and last in an on-and-off pattern into Monday. Primarily rain is expected Saturday - at rates of 2-3 inches per hour - with scattered thunderstorms set for Sunday, according to the Weather Channel. Some storms may start tonight, other forecasts say.

"Periods of showers along with embedded thunderstorms will impact the region today and tonight with the potential for localized rainfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour at rimes," the National Weather Service wrote. "The potential exists for these heavy showers to move over the same locations."

While the warning expires early Sunday, the rain and storms are going to stick around through the week. There is at least a 40 percent chance of precipitation in Providence in all but one day next week, with thunderstorms in the forecast Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Here is the forecast through next week, courtesy of the NWS:

Saturday - Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 76. Southeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday night - A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 10pm and 4am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Patchy fog before 11pm, then patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 67. Southeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Sunday - A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 7am and 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Northeast wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday night - A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Patchy fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 68. Northeast wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Monday - A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 9am. Patchy fog between 2pm and 4pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 78. Northeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Monday night - A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2am. Patchy fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Tuesday - A chance of showers. Patchy fog before noon. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Tuesday night - Patchy fog after 9pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.

Wednesday - A chance of showers before 4pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday night - Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 69.

Thursday - Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 85.

Thursday night - A chance of showers. Patchy fog. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday - A chance of showers. Patchy fog. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

NWS Boston image