RI Weather: Severe Thunderstorms Threaten Friday

Enjoy this lovely Friday morning while you can. Forecasters are warning of the potential for severe afternoon thunderstorms with strong winds and localized flooding. A hazardous weather outlook has been issued across Rhode Island.

The strongest of the storms are expected in Southern New England between 2-11 p.m., the National Weather Service said. They may start a little later in Rhode Island, then they will come back Saturday and stick around into Sunday, washing out much of the weekend. The rain is expected to swing back through midweek.

"There is a chance the thunderstorms will be more robust than the garden variety summer storm and may occur on a more regional basis into Friday night," AccuWeather said.

There is a low risk of an isolated tornado in Western or Central Mass. Friday, and it isn't to be dismissed out of hand. Tornadoes are usually rare in Massachusetts, but three have already touched down this summer. In late July, two ripped through the small towns of Douglas and Upton. Just weeks later, a damaging tornado wreaked havoc across Webster and Dudley.

Week forecast around Rhode Island

Friday afternoon - A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday night - A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 11pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday - A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. Patchy fog between 7am and 8am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. West wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday night - Showers and thunderstorms likely before 3am, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Northeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday - A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. Northeast wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday night - A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Monday - A chance of showers before 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday night - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.

Tuesday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.

Tuesday night - A chance of showers after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday - A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday night - Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65.

Thursday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.