RI Weather: Thunderstorms, Coastal Flooding Possible

Following one of the nicest spring days seen in Rhode Island so far this year, rain is here to stay until Friday, bringing the possibility for coastal flooding.

Much of the state won't see much rainfall on Wednesday, with showers clearing by the afternoon. Thursday brings the likelihood of showers throughout the day, with the possibility of a thunderstorm in the afternoon.

Skies are expected to clear by Friday, though there will be a chance of thunderstorms and showers before noon. Sunshine and warmer temperatures are back in the forecast for the weekend before heavy rain returns Monday.

Providence-area forecast from the National Weather Service

Wednesday
A chance of rain, mainly before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 53. Northeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Light south wind.

Thursday
Showers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4 p.m. Patchy fog between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.. High near 57. South wind 7 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Low around 37. West wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 50. Breezy, with a west wind 16 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. West wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. West wind 13 to 15 mph.

Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 34. West wind 7 to 10 mph.

Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. South wind 5 to 11 mph.

Sunday Night
A chance of showers after 4 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Southeast wind 9 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Monday
Showers. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 57. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Monday Night
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. West wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.