A few showers are possible early Thursday evening as a cold front passes. Rain will not be widespread or long-lived. The shower threat ends before midnight, and cool/dry weather returns for the end of the workweek and start of the weekend. The long-range pattern does not offer much hope for steady rain through most of next week. Drought conditions have not change in RI over the past week. The situation is about the same in Southeastern Massachusetts.
Hurricane Nicole is pounding Bermuda as a category 3 storm with winds of 125 mph. 105-120 mph gusts were reported on the island Thursday morning as the western edge of the eyewall passed over. The storm will quickly move away from Bermuda Thursday afternoon. Two years ago this week there were two hurricanes that hit Bermuda in succession. Both of those storms caused widespread damage, but neither was as strong as Nicole.
Expect temperatures to fall into the low to mid 40s with a northwest breeze early Friday morning. Highs will be near 60 under mostly sunny skies. It will feel colder due to the breeze and dry air. Friday night looks chilly, with lows in the 30s to low 40s under clear skies. The wind will relax to 5 mph or less by dawn on Saturday.
Saturday will be bright and cool. Highs will be near 60 with tons of sunshine and a light breeze. It looks like a great day for pumpkin picking or some yard work. It will be cool again Saturday night. Dry weather continues on Sunday, and it will be a little milder, with highs in the low to mid 60s.
An approaching front will bring more clouds and a mild breeze on Monday. A few showers are possible, especially in the afternoon and evening. Once again, do not expect a washout. Highs will be 65-70 with a gusty west-southwest breeze in the afternoon.
The middle of the workweek looks dry with a warming trend. Tuesday will feature an easterly breeze and highs in the low 60s. It will be milder Wednesday-Thursday. Highs may get close to 70. A slow-moving system may bring steady rain late next workweek or over the weekend.
