Another unsettled day is on the way today… with numerous showers and isolated thunderstorms this morning.  Those storms should work their way off shore… with, overall, drier skies this afternoon.  However, an addition spot shower or t’storm possible into this evening–mostly for areas northwest of Providence.  It’s going to be another mild and muggy day with highs inland near 70-75.  Clouds may break for a few peeks of hazy sun inland, but clouds should hold firm along the coast.  A cold front will work it’s way through New England late day… there’s some concern that strong or severe thunderstorms could develop along the front in parts of New England.  In fact, the Storm Prediction Center has interior New England under a “slight risk” for severe thunderstorms…. gusty winds are the biggest risk.

Thunderstorm Outlook Today

Probability of Severe Winds >50kt

The Storm Prediction Center even has a very slight risk for a tornado.

Tornado Probability

While southeastern New England is not considered to be in the “at risk” area for severe t’storms…. we’ll have to watch to see how any of those storms to our northwest progress as the track east… “if” the storms were able to maintain the strength, then another gusty thunderstorm would be possible–mainly NW RI this evening.  Most of our computer models show the storms fizzling as they head east towards sunset.  We’ll of course keep you updated!

Good Evening…

The jet stream is the storm track….a  river of air high up in the sky that circles the globe and determines our weather. The shape, location and strength of the jet is responsible for our day to day weather. The dips in the jet are called “troughs”.…the humps are called “ridges”. Usually in between the troughs and the ridges are where clouds and precipitation can be found….especially right near the trough. The map below is how the jet steam will set up next several days. Here in New England, this kind of jet structure promotes mild and dry weather and why I am forecasting nice conditions Thursday thru the weekend…….Tony Petrarca

While my boys aren’t quite old enough to hit the ball field… I am well aware that it is Little League season in southern New England.  Every time I call for scattered showers I get a slew of emails, Facebook posts, and verbal inquiries from viewers, neighbors and co-workers with all the same general question: “Will baseball be cancelled”.  Usually it is said with guilty hopefulness… that although so many of us would give up anything for our kids and encourage them to be involved in after-school activities, we also long for a quiet evening at home.

So will we be able to get in the baseball practices and games today?  It’s tricky… I’m thinking that the widespread showers will arrive between 4-7pm.  That means that some communities may have to postpone the games while others will be able to squeak in the evening’s activities before the skies turn damp.  The showers will overspread the area from west to east, so areas from Westerly to Coventry will see showers a bit earlier than communities closer to Cape Cod.  After dark and through the night, scattered showers are expected.  Here’s the Futurecast for 3pm:

Futurecast at 3PM

Followed up by what the radar could look like by 7pm:

Futurecast at 7PM

Good luck moms and dads, and go team!

Good  Evening..

Out high resolution Microcast model showing showers moving in mid to late day Tuesday. There is a small chance of a passing shower Tonight… Tony Petrarca

After a gorgeous weekend—we hit a high of 78° on Saturday and 81° on Sunday–the unsettled weather has returned.  The radar has been tracking a few widely scattered showers early this morning as a cold front stalls over central and Western MA.  Despite the brief, passing shower in a few communities in southeastern New England, today WON’T be a “washout”.  However, it does mark the beginning of a 3-day stretch of possible showers.  Today, most of the wet weather will stay north and west of our area… focused closer to where the front is stalled:

Shower Threat Today

Locally, we’re looking at a mix of hazy sun and clouds… have the umbrella handy, but most of the day will be dry with highs 68-72.

The greatest chance for showers in RI and southeastern MA will come late on Tuesday into the day on Wednesday… it looks like it will be followed up by a large area of high pressure.  That high will bring a stretch of storm-free, mild weather for late week into the upcoming weekend.

Happy Mother’s Day! I have been working here at Channel 12 for about 4 and a half years, and because Mother’s Day always falls on a Sunday (my usual shift), I usually have the pleasure of giving the Mother’s Day forecast.  Just going by memory, I think the past 4 or 5 Mother’s Days have been great weather days! Today should be nice as well.  The only “fly in the ointment” will be some highs clouds which will be with us off and on through out the day.  Still expecting warm temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s inland….low 70s at the coast. -Pete Mangione

Did you like Saturday’s weather? Good, cuz I got you a special Mother’s Day present:  more nice weather!!! Expect sunshine with some high clouds.  Highs will be around 80, little cooler at the coast.

Take advantage of my present, because the weather gets a little unsettled beginning on Monday.  Although not many showers will be around on Monday, it will likely be a little cloudier…  Better chances of showers will arrive for Tuesday and especially Wednesday.

-T.J.

A beautiful looking Mother’s Day weekend on the way! Highs in the upper 70s; even the coast will be in the low to mid 70s.  On Sunday, some inland spots could hit the low 80s.  At the coast, some on shore winds may cool things off into the upper 60s to low 70s by late afternoon.   Let’s talk rain chances: Don’t worry Mom! I think the daylight hours of Mother’s Day will be dry.  If we get any showers at all, the best chance would be overnight into Monday morning.  The greatest chance of steady rain is not until Wednesday. -Pete Mangione

Good Evening…

The Pinpoint Weather team proud to have a weather partnership with the Providence Journal.  Our weather department will produce daily forecasts that you can find in the newspaper and also on Projo’s website..   Tony Petrarca

It was such a treat to see the sun shining this morning after another mid-week stretch of dreary weather!  Unfortunately, we won’t keep the clear skies all day.  A weak disturbance will swing through this afternoon…. generating some cloudiness and even possibly a brief, isolated shower… there may be some small hail in the showers.  It’s nothing you need to cancel outdoor plans over… just, perhaps, prepare for a brief 10-15min interruption in your day.

Our temperatures for the weekend have been trending up!  While it will still be a cool start on Saturday morning, full sunshine all day will allow temperatures to warm quickly… with highs climbing into the mid and upper 70s.  As far as Spring days go, this will be close to a perfect 10!  Sunny skies, low humidity and a breezy west-southwest wind.  Sunday is looking pretty good too.  A cold front will inch towards us, and that will turn our skies partly sunny…. while “parts of New England” could see a brief shower, I’m leaning towards a dry day in both RI and southeastern MA.  Enjoy it and happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms out there!

Weekend Futurecast