Wednesday was the hottest day in more than two years in the Providence area. It will stay very warm and humid on Thursday before thunderstorms threaten late in the day and during the evening.
THURSDAY
Early clouds and fog will give way to hazy sunshine and partly cloudy skies. It will likely not be as bright as Wednesday was, and the temperature will reach the upper 80s to low 90s inland, and low to mid 80s near the coast. There will be a 10-20 mph southwest breeze ahead of a cold front. The front will trigger thunderstorms that will reach western New England in the afternoon. The storms will move east during the afternoon and may threaten Southeastern New England by late-afternoon and/or during the evening. The storms should weaken some as they move through RI into SE MA. Heavy rain and strong winds are possible in the thunderstorms – especially inland.
FRIDAY
The cold front will move offshore early Friday morning, and less humid weather will filter in during the day. The dew point will fall into the 50s to near 60 – pretty comfortable for late July. Skies will be mostly sunny, and highs will be near 90 inland and in the mid 80s at the coast.
WEEKEND
More hot weather is ahead this weekend. It will be close to 90 inland with partly sunny skies both days. The nights will be mainly clear with patchy fog.
EARLY NEXT WEEK
We’re not expecting much change in the weather pattern early next week. Look for highs near 90 inland, and in the 80s at the coast. There is a chance of t-storms late Tuesday or late Wednesday.