Sunday Night Storm Update
The impending wind and rain storm is still on track for tonight. It is a multi-faceted storm with three main parts: Rain, Wind, and Coastal impact. The Monday morning commute could be complicated with the aftermath of the storm. Timing has rain and wind developing the second half of Sunday, peaking overnight in intensity, and ending Monday morning.
Rainfall will be heaviest around 4am Monday and will include thunderstorm downpours. The result is the potential of inches of rainfall. Final rainfall totals will likely be in the 1-3+″ range. We could also see minor to moderate river flooding in the usual places: Pawtuxet River at Warwick & Cranston, Pawcatuck River in Westerly, the Wood River at Hope Valley and the Blackstone in Woonsocket. Narragansett Bay at Fox Point may experience minor flooding during the time of high tide Monday morning (6:05 am) and the doors will likely be closed for this. The Pawcatuck River in Westerly is tidally influenced and is also likely to go into minor flood at the am high tide time (6am). Wet basements and the potential of localized street flooding is likely. Action: clean leaf litter from drains and make sure sump pumps are in good working order should your basement indeed take on water.
Extremely gusty winds will impact primarily coastal regions with gusts peaking near 60+ mph. Otherwise, we are expecting maximum winds with gusts near 50 mph. As a result, power outages are likely, weaker trees and tree limbs are vulnerable, and unsecured objects will likely be lofted. Action: Secure Santa and all your holiday decorations or bring them inside. Charge up your phone and chargeable batteries.
Coastal concerns with this storm are high with this storm. Wave heights along the coast are expected of 7-12 feet, and up to 20 feet offshore. Coastal flooding will be likely but classified as minor flooding at less than a foot deep. Expect wet basements in coastal homes. Mariners should take precautions as seas will be dangerous.
Monday morning around 10am, we will see the storm pull away and we should increase the sunshine as winds relax. Temperatures will drop through the afternoon as well as colder and drier air follows the storm. The remainder of the week looks bright and dry with cooler and more seasonable highs in the 40s.
