Could It Snow in Portsmouth This Weekend?

The National Weather Service says snow is likely as a cold front moves in Thursday night and the weekend.

Snow before Halloween?  The National Weather Service says the white powder could likely fall in Southern New England this weekend.  "Low pressure will move across Southern New England late today with periods of light rain developing," according to the National Weather Service forecast.  A cold front will then situate itself over New England tonight. A second low will bring periods of rain and possibly snow Thursday night. The atmosphere might be cold enough for snow, says the National Weather Service, for Thursday and throughout the weekend especially among higher terrains in the state.  The snowfall is not expected to accumulate much, with forecasters estimating it to be "quite light." The National Weather Service has also issued a freeze…

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Brr! Weather Gods Give Portsmouth a Cold Shock

What temperature reading did you see this morning?

It certainly was chilly this morning! With such unseasonal warm weather lately, some residents woke up to a shock Thursday morning as temperatures dipped to the 40s. The National Weather Service reports that the low tonight will again drop to around 46 degrees, and that a frost advisory may be needed for a portion of the region. Luckily, warmer temperatures are expected to return by the Columbus Day weekend, with a possible high of 73 for both Saturday and Sunday.  How chilly was it at your Portsmouth home this morning? What temperature reading did you see? Tell us in the comments section below! 

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National Weather Service Issues Flood Watch for Friday, Saturday

A flood watch is in effect from Friday afternoon through Saturday for Newport and Bristol Counties.

DEM Warns of Strong Rip Currents, Ocean Swells This Weekend

DEM asks swimmers to stay out of the water this weekend until the effects of Katia have passed.

The Department of Environmental Management is urging residents to exercise caution along southern shoreline areas this weekend because of the strong rip currents and heavy surf expected as Hurricane Katia remains off the southeast New England coast.  An advisory issued this morning by the National Weather Service cautions that as the storm passes to the east of the state on Saturday, there will be high surf and dangerous rip currents along the south shore, in addition to gusty northeast winds.  DEM’s Division of Parks and Recreation is advising the public to continue to follow the advice of the National Weather Service and its high surf advisory, and refrain from entering the water until the effects of the storm have passed.  A rip current…

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4:07 pm on Friday, September 9, 2011

Surfs Up!   more ›

NWS Issues High Surf Advisory, Warns of Strong Rip Currents

Early signs of Katia are appearing in local waters, says the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service is warning surfers and swimmers of strong rip currents expected to exist in local waters through Friday.  A strong ocean swell is approaching as Hurricane Katia moves towards the East Coast. The swell is expected to create strong rip currents along parts of Southern New England from Wednesday through Friday.  A high surf advisory is in effect from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday for all areas along the south coast of Rhode Island and coastal Bristol County. Surf is also expected to range in height from four feet to 12 feet during beach hours on Wednesday. The high surf advisory is expected to extend through Thursday and Friday.  Surfers are being warned of strong rip currents and dangerous surf heights. The narrow …

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Tide and Time Both Important Factors in Predicting Storm's Impact Locally

The National Weather Service (NWS) forecast shows that Rhode Island is in line for a direct hit by Hurricane Irene.

While there are still many variables in the direction, speed and ferocity of Hurricane Irene, residents of Portsmouth should be prepared for a worst case scenario.  A list of items to prepare in the event of a disaster can be found here.  While the exact time and location of Irene's landfall on Rhode Island is still unknown, weather officials, including those at the Weather Channel, are predicting that the storm will hit our area sometime between Sunday night and the early morning hours of Monday. But lining the current information up with a Mt. Hope Bay tide chart from USharbors.com doesn't provide much hope for low-lying areas around Mt. Hope Bay if the storm hits mid-evening on Sunday or mid-morning on Monday.  According to the tide …

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Flood Watch Issued for Portsmouth

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for our area.

On Monday morning, the National Weather Service announced that there could be flash floods in our area throughout the day. The NWS now warns that Portsmouth is under a flood watch due to the slow moving storm over New England. According to NWS, there will be widespread rainfall on Monday, accumulating one to three inches, possibly three to five inches into the evening.  The NWS reports that the "rainfall amounts will result in sharp rises on rivers and streams," and that rivers could exceed the water capacity. The NWS also warns that urban areas with poor drainage may see flooding as a result of the rain.

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Brace for Active Hurricane Season, NOAA Warns

A highly active hurricane season is on the horizon for the Atlantic states, hurricane experts from the NOAA announced on Thursday.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) updated its outlook for the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season on Thursday, increasing its number of expected named storms, such as hurricanes, from its pre-season outlook released in May. Forecasters also predicted that 2011 will be an active Atlantic hurricane season, due to a number of factors cited that include warmer Atlantic Ocean temperatures—the third warmest on record—and the possible redevelopment of La Niña. “The atmosphere and Atlantic Ocean are primed for high hurricane activity during August through October,” Gerry Bell, lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at the Climate Prediction Center said in an announcement posted on the NOAA Web site. “Storms through October will …

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Officials Warn of Severe T-Storms This Afternoon

The National Weather service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Rhode Island.

Batten down the hatches: Rhode Island is expected to get some severe thunderstorms this afternoon. Officials with the National Weather Service are predicting severe weather today in Rhode Island from 4 to 8 p.m. as a storm system from Canada makes it way south. Some of the storms may be severe, with damaging winds as the primary threat. The storm's potentially torrential rainfall could result in flooding. Visibility will be poor on the roadways, officials warn. Those with outdoor plans (including those who thought today would be a swell day at the beach) should head inside or to a vehicle at the first sign of threatening weather. (If you hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.)

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National Weather Services Issues Flood Advisory

The flood advisory will be in effect until this afternoon.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for the northeastern area of Newport County, as well as Fall River, MA. The flood advisory will be in effect until 12:15 p.m. today. Locally heavy rainfall may cause urban and poor drainage flooding. More rainfall and thunderstorms are expected later today and tonight. For more information, check the National Weather Service Web site here.

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