RI Weather: Severe Storms Moving Through Today

Two rounds of severe storms will sweep across the region Wednesday, bringing torrential downpours and strong winds with them. There is even a small chance of an isolated tornado — a low risk, but worth noting just two weeks after three tornadoes touched down on Cape Cod.

The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement and hazardous weather outlook for Rhode Island ahead of the storms. The first round is expected to be this afternoon across Central and Western Massachusetts, while Rhode Island and Eastern Mass. are expected to be hit hard during the evening and into Thursday morning.

The storms "may contain strong to damaging winds and torrential downpours with localized urban/street flooding possible," the NWS said. "There is the potential for a few rotating storms thus a very low risk of an isolated tornado."

The exact timing of the storms — particularly the evening ones — is not clear. Weather.com has rain moving into the Providence area just in time for the commute home. Patch will update this story when more information is available.

The weather brings to an end a pleasant stretch of summer to begin August. Things should calm down again heading into the weekend.

Providence-area forecast via NWS

Thursday - Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. South wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night - A slight chance of showers before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday - Sunny, with a high near 84. West wind 7 to 10 mph.

Friday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Northwest wind around 7 mph.

Saturday - Sunny, with a high near 81. West wind 7 to 10 mph.

Saturday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph.

Sunday - Sunny, with a high near 80. West wind 5 to 9 mph.

Sunday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. West wind 3 to 6 mph.

Monday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. West wind 6 to 8 mph.

Monday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind around 6 mph.

Tuesday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph.