Hurricane Arthur will combine with a stalled cold front to bring drenching downpours to Rhode Island on the 4th of July. Of course, there is a lot going on around the holiday, including scheduled fireworks displays on Thursday and Friday, plus the parades and cookouts. Here is a detailed forecast for Rhode Island during the Independence Day holiday.
If you will be spending the day in Southeastern Massachusetts, that forecast is here: http://goo.gl/gRTWao
Thursday Evening – Mostly cloudy, patchy fog, scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible. Even without showers, low clouds and fog may impact fireworks displays, especially near the coast. Very mild and muggy.
Lows: 68-73
Wind: SW 10-15 mph
Friday Morning – Mostly cloudy, patchy fog early. Showers develop from west to east across the state during the morning. Thunderstorms and locally heavy downpours possible before noon. Very humid. Not too breezy.
Temperature: 75-80
Wind: SSW 5-15 mph
Friday Afternoon – Rain likely, heavy at times. Chance of thunderstorms. Flash flooding possible. Rainfall rates of 1-2″ per hour possible. Turning cooler. Breezy near the coast.
Temperature: 76-82, falling to 66-72
Wind: Becoming N 10-20 mph
Friday Evening – Rain likely, heavy at times, ending by midnight. Flood threat continues. Becoming breezy inland, windy, but not damaging winds, near the coast.
Temperature: 60-65
Wind: N 10-25 mph inland, 20-35 mph near the coast (40 mph gusts possible on Block Island)
Friday Night – Gradual clearing. Breezy, dry, and comfortable by dawn.
Temperature: 55-60
Wind: NW/W 10-25 mph
Saturday – Mostly sunny, breezy, and dry.
Highs: 77-83
Wind: W 10-20 mph
Rain/Flooding Potential
1-3″ of rain is likely in RI, with the potential for some areas to see 4-6″, which would easily be enough to cause widespread street and stream flooding. Heaviest rain likely in the afternoon and evening.
Marine Impact
Rough seas and high surf are likely through Saturday. 4-6 ft. waves at the entrance to the bay. 5-10 ft. seas offshore. 2-4 ft. surf likely at area beaches Saturday morning. High rip current risk possible.
