A nor’easter forming off the East Coast will make its way to Rhode Island, dousing the long weekend in rough weather.
The National Weather Service issued both a storm watch and a coastal flood watch for the Ocean State’s coastline over the Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend.
Narragansett Bay will also be under a gale watch due to the predicted windy weather.
AccuWeather said the storm, forming off the Georgia coast, will move up towards New England by the end of the weekend.
“The upcoming weekend, especially the latter part, is shaping up to be very stormy and could be damaging and dangerous for some due to the risk of flooding and enraged seas,” AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva said in a written statement.
NWS issues storm watch, coastal flood watch, and gale watch for Rhode Island
The National Weather Service issued a storm watch for the Rhode Island coastline, from Sunday afternoon to Monday evening warning of seas from 12 to 17 feet.
The weather service said that storm-force winds and hazardous seas could capsize or damage boats and reduce visibility on the water. Mariners should stay in port or alter their course, NWS said.
The entire coast of Rhode Island will also be under a coastal flood watch from the morning of Sunday, Oct. 12, through the night of Monday, Oct. 13, according to NWS.
Flooding of 1 to 2 feet above ground level is possible in low-lying areas near shorelines, NWS said. You’ll still be able to drive, the weather service said, but rough surf will probably cause some splashover onto coastal roads.
You shouldn’t drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth, according to NWS.
The weather service also issued a gale watch for Narragansett Bay, as strong winds are expected from Sunday, Oct. 12, through Monday, Oct. 13. Waves of up to 2 to 3 feet are possible, NWS said. Mariners should avoid this area.
What’s the weekend forecast in Rhode Island?
Saturday is supposed to be the nicest day of the weekend. Accuweather is predicting partly sunny skies with a high of 65 and a low of 52. Periods of rain will start on Saturday, according to the forecast and Monday is expected to be windy and rainy with a high of 61.
How much rain will Rhode Island get?
One to two inches of rain is possible across the region from the storm, according to the National Weather Service.
Seth Jacobson of the USA Today Network contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI weather: Nor’easter slamming state over long weekend. See timeline
