Up to 6 inches of rain is expected for parts of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for portions of southeastern Massachusetts and all of Rhode Island, in effect from late tonight through Saturday morning.
According to the National Weather Service, rainfall is expected to arrive tonight, with a widespread soaking rainfall Friday and Friday night before diminishing Saturday morning, according to the NWS. Rainfall totals through Saturday are forecast to range from 2 to 4 inches, with locally 5 to 6 inches possible across Rhode Island and southeast Massachusetts.
The Flood Watch covers Northern Bristol, Western Plymouth, Eastern Plymouth, Southern Bristol, Southern Plymouth, Barnstable, and Dukes counties in Massachusetts, as well as Northwest Providence, Southeast Providence, Western Kent, Eastern Kent, Bristol, Washington, Newport, and Block Island in Rhode Island. Cities and towns included in the watch include Fall River, New Bedford, Taunton, Brockton, Plymouth, Providence, Warwick, Newport, and others.
According to the NWS, flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may also occur in poor drainage and urban areas, and storm drains and ditches may become clogged with leaf debris.
Periods of heavy rain late tonight through Saturday morning may result in 2 to 4 inches of rainfall across Rhode Island and southeast Massachusetts, with a low risk (less than 30 percent) of isolated amounts of 5 to 6 inches, the NWS said. Less rainfall is expected across Connecticut into northern Massachusetts.
The NWS has noted a marginal risk in the Excessive Rainfall Outlook for Friday into Saturday. While the region has been dry recently and flash flood guidance is high, some poor drainage and urban flooding is possible, particularly with leaves potentially blocking drains.
Residents in the Flood Watch area are advised to be prepared for possible flooding in low-lying and poor-drainage locations through Saturday morning.
