The latest news on Hurricane Lee + Flood Watch came out early this week
Busy weather week: More flooding possible today, ‘heavy rain’ Wednesday, questions still about Hurricane Lee.
PROVIDENCE — Expect an unsettled week of weather with more flooding possible Monday, “heavy rain” Wednesday, and at least one Hurricane Lee raising waves and stirring up tidal surges as it moves north.
“We continue to monitor Hurricane Lee through the end of next week. It is still unknown if it will directly impact New England,” the weather service said in its discussion of the forecast.
After heavy rain caused flooding in Rhode Island on Sunday, the National Weather Service warned that more flooding is possible today with more rain and thunderstorms on the way.
A flood alert has been issued for Rhode Island
The Weather Service issued a flood watch for Rhode Island, as well as parts of Connecticut and Massachusetts, that goes into effect at 11 a.m. and lasts until 2 a.m. Tuesday.
“Slow-moving rain and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening may produce heavy rain that accumulates 1.5 to 3 inches or more in a short period of time,” the weather service says in its watch. “As a result, urban and small-scale flooding and poor sanitation will be possible. Heavy rain is expected between 2pm and 8pm and may affect evening commuting.”
“Excessive runoff may cause flooding of rivers, creeks, creeks and other low-lying, flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in urban areas with poor drainage,” the weather service says.
Rain on Sunday caused flooding in Cranston and Providence, as well as thunderstorms, forcing the remainder of the Providence PVD Festival to be canceled.
What effect did Hurricane Lee have on southern New England?
More “heavy rain” will hit parts of southern New England on Wednesday, and the region will feel some impact from Hurricane Lee, although current forecasts call for the storm to stay offshore before moving into Nova Scotia, according to the weather service.
“Hurricane Lee could still approach late this week or the end of next week,” the weather service says in its forecast discussion. “Increasing surf and rip currents are likely to begin around Tuesday and continue into the weekend, although confidence in any further impacts is low.”
The National Hurricane Center said“It is still too early to know what level of impacts, if any, Lee may have along the U.S. East Coast and Atlantic Canada late this week, especially since the hurricane is expected to slow significantly over the southwestern Atlantic. However, dangerous surf and rip currents are expected along much of the East Coast of the United States as the lee grows in size.”
