National Weather ServiceRhode IslandHigh Wind WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
High Wind Warnings in Rhode Island
The National Weather Service issued 3 high wind warnings for Rhode Island in 2025 and 4 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 42nd most of any state. 2026 through September: 2, 13% above the average of 2 for those months in 2008-2025. Block Island was covered most often (69 times since 2008).
How many high wind warnings does Rhode Island get?
Every high wind warning that covered part of Rhode Island. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 2 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2008 | 6 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Rhode Island get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Rhode Island?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Block Island | 69 | 10 | September 25, 2026 |
| Newport | 51 | 8 | September 25, 2026 |
| Washington | 50 | 8 | September 25, 2026 |
| Bristol | 43 | 6 | September 25, 2026 |
| Eastern Kent | 39 | 6 | September 25, 2026 |
| Southeast Providence | 38 | 5 | September 25, 2026 |
| Western Kent | 32 | 4 | September 25, 2026 |
| Northwest Providence | 28 | 3 | March 16, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
The latest high wind warnings for Rhode Island in AreaZine's record
NWS Boston/NortonWarningSeptember 26, 2026
High Wind Warning: Southeast Providence, Western Kent and Eastern Kent, RI
Expired 8:00 a.m. EDT, September 27, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a high wind warning?
A high wind warning means sustained winds of 40 mph or more for an hour or longer, or gusts of 58 mph or more, in most offices; some mountain and coastal offices use higher values. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in Rhode Island.