BOSTON, Mass. – A thick canopy of clouds and damp air sets the stage for a stormy stretch across southern New England this weekend. Rhode Island and eastern Massachusetts are bracing for a quick-hitting rain event Sunday, followed by a sharp drop in temperatures that will remind residents winter isn’t far off.
According to the National Weather Service in Norton, widespread showers are expected to develop by midday Sunday and continue into the evening. The heaviest rainfall will fall between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., bringing brief gusts up to 25 mph and reduced visibility on I-95, Route 6, and the Providence Beltway. Drivers should expect wet pavement and occasional ponding on secondary roads. The system clears late Sunday night as cooler, drier air sweeps in from the northwest.
By Monday, the shift becomes dramatic. Afternoon highs may reach near 60 before temperatures tumble toward freezing after sunset. Lows Monday night will fall into the low 30s, and the first widespread frost or light freeze of the season is likely for inland Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. Residents should cover late-season garden plants, secure outdoor décor, and prepare for cold commutes early next week.
Veterans Day will feature bright skies but brisk air—morning readings near freezing and afternoon highs around the low 40s. The cold air marks the leading edge of a broader Arctic push stretching from the Midwest to the Northeast. While no snow is expected locally yet, the pattern hints at an early-winter setup later this month, possibly just in time for Thanksgiving travel.
Five-Day Forecast for Providence, RI:
Sat: 61/38 – Decreasing clouds; mild and breezy.
Sun: 54/50 – Rain developing midday; gusty and damp.
Mon: 60/31 – Morning showers, then falling temps; breezy late.
Tue (Veterans Day): 43/34 – Mostly sunny; cold start.
Wed: 46/35 – Bright, dry; seasonal chill continues.
