RI Weather: Hurricane Michael Potential Impact Detailed

As Hurricane Michael bears down on the Gulf Coast, what it has in store for Southern New England is becoming clearer. Michael's peak winds Tuesday morning were up to 110 miles per hour, making it a Category 2 hurricane.

Michael is expected to make landfall on the Florida Panhandle Wednesday. It is forecast to become a Category 3 hurricane with winds of up to 130 mph.

The storm is still expected to drop buckets on Southern New England as it passes by. The National Weather Service said Michael is "expected to sweep [south] of New England" Friday morning, but as it accelerates out to sea, it will spur some tropical moisture into a Thursday storm.

Michael is currently slated to pass south of Nantucket Thursday night. If it passes any closer to Southern New England, the risk increases for strong winds and marine impacts.

The NWS is warning of "pockets of heavy rainfall and the low risk of flash flooding."

A cold front will follow, dipping weekend temperatures into the 40s and 50s.

Providence-area weather forecast

Tuesday - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southwest wind around 6 mph.

Wednesday - Areas of fog before 11am. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday night - A slight chance of showers after 1am. Patchy fog after 11pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday - Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 3pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Patchy fog before noon. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 72. South wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Thursday night - Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 5am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Patchy fog after 3am. Low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Friday - A chance of showers before 11am. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 64. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.

Saturday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

Saturday night - Mostly clear, with a low around 42.

Sunday - Sunny, with a high near 60.

Sunday night - A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

National Hurricane Center image