RI Weather: Strong Winds, Thunderstorms Could Bring More Outages

Only one week after a powerful overnight storm left thousands of Rhode Islanders without power, strong wind gusts could again bring widespread power outages to the state.

For the second Wednesday in a row, winds up to 55 miles an hour are forecasted in the state. The National Weather Service Issued a high wind watch for the entire state Wednesday. Resident are advised to secure any loose outdoor objects or move them to a safe location before the high wind gusts arrive.

Showers and thunderstorms are also possible after 4 p.m. and throughout the evening.

"Damaging winds will result in some downed trees and scattered power outages," the National Weather Service said.

The threat for outages is greater than it would be later in the fall. Trees that are still fully leafed are at more danger of causing outages.

The rest of the week is expected to be mild, with sunshine and highs in the mid-60s, reaching the mid-70s Saturday afternoon.

Here's a look at the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.

Wednesday
A slight chance of showers between 3pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 75. Breezy, with a southwest wind 13 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night
Showers likely, mainly before 7 p.m. Mostly cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 49. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 64. Northwest wind 13 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.

Thursday Night
Clear, with a low around 43. Northwest wind 5 to 9 mph.

Friday
Sunny, with a high near 64. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 52. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph.

Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Southwest wind 13 to 18 mph.

Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southwest wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Northeast wind around 7 mph.

Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Northeast wind around 6 mph.

Columbus Day
Partly sunny, with a high near 64. East wind around 9 mph.

Monday Night
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. East wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Tuesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 68. East wind 8 to 10 mph.