RI Weather: Heavy Rainstorm Tonight Followed By Freezing Weekend

Heavy rain Friday night will avoid becoming the first snow of the year, but only by a matter of hours. An evening downpour, which has prompted a flood watch for all of Rhode Island, will usher in an unseasonably cold stretch that will drop temperatures into the 20s and 30s, weather officials said.

Tonight's rain will arrive from the west between 5-9 p.m. The temperatures will be in the upper 40s and low 50s, far from warm, but there won't be any snow just yet. The rain should end by daybreak Saturday.

About two inches of rain is expected across most of the state, particularly north. There is an increased flood risk due o the potential of all those leaves on the ground getting caught up in drain sewers.

The rain will be accompanied by maximum wind gusts of between 40-50 miles per hour.

Another storm system on tap for early next week should be a ton more rain - and we'll keep our eye out for what could potentially be the first snow. Subscribe to your local Patch for the latest.

Providence-area forecast via NWS

Today - A chance of rain, mainly after 5pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 50. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tonight - Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 3am, then a chance of rain. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Low around 45. East wind 6 to 14 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Saturday - Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a temperature falling to around 38 by 5pm. West wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph.

Saturday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 29. West wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.

Veterans Day - Sunny, with a high near 42. West wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

Sunday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 27.

Monday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 46.

Monday Night - Rain, mainly after 9pm. Low around 37. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Tuesday - Rain. High near 55. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Tuesday Night - A chance of rain before 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Wednesday - Partly sunny, with a high near 40.

Wednesday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 26.

Thursday - Sunny, with a high near 40.

Image via shutterstock