Wind Gusts Up To 50 MPH Could Create Fire Risks In Rhode Island

RHODE ISLAND — Dangerous wind gusts are expected to hit Rhode Island on Thursday and will create an elevated risk of fires due to the lack of humidity, according to the National Weather Service.

According to the National Weather Service, wind gusts are expected to be 35 to 50 mph through the late afternoon. Humidity values are expected to range between 20 and 35 percent.

"The combination of gusty winds and an anomalously dry air mass for March will result in elevated fire weather concerns for all of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island from late morning through late afternoon," the National Weather Service forecast read.

The strongest winds are expected to hit northern Rhode Island and stretch south of Warwick.

Here is the weather forecast for Rhode Island leading up into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

Thursday

Sunny with a high near 40. Winds will be at around 21 mph with gusts up to 50 mph, creating an elevated risk of fires. At night, expect a low of 22 and wind gusts as high as 25 mph.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 42. Expect winds of 8 to 10 mph. Overnight, there is a slight chance of rain and snow with increasing clouds. The low is expected to be around 33 degrees. There is a 30 percent chance of precipitation.

Saturday

Heavy rain after 8 a.m. and a high of around 53. Winds are expected to be 13 to 17 mph. There is a 90 percent chance of precipitation. At night, expect rain before 1 a.m. and a low of 32. Wind gusts could reach 34 mph.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. Wind gusts could reach 33 mph. At night, expect mostly cloudy skies and a low around 32. Winds should be about 18 to 20 mph.

Monday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. Expect sustained winds of around 21 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. At night, there should be partly cloudy skies, a low of 33, and 18 to 20 mph winds, with gust as high as 31 mph.

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