National Weather ServiceRhode IslandSevere Thunderstorm WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Rhode Island
The National Weather Service issued 11 severe thunderstorm warnings for Rhode Island in 2025 and 20 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 48th most of any state. 2026 through September: 8, 57% below the average of 19 for those months in 2008-2025. Providence was covered most often (260 times since 2008).
How many severe thunderstorm warnings does Rhode Island get?
Every severe thunderstorm warning that covered part of Rhode Island. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 8 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2024 | 26 |
| 2023 | 26 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2021 | 29 |
| 2020 | 31 |
| 2019 | 19 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2016 | 35 |
| 2015 | 19 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2012 | 24 |
| 2011 | 16 |
| 2010 | 22 |
| 2009 | 17 |
| 2008 | 32 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | 260 | 54 | August 8, 2026 |
| Kent | 149 | 33 | August 13, 2026 |
| Washington | 131 | 33 | August 13, 2026 |
| Newport | 124 | 26 | August 13, 2026 |
| Bristol | 114 | 23 | August 29, 2025 |
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 severe thunderstorm warnings for Rhode Island in AreaZine's record
NWS Boston/NortonWarningAugust 7, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Tolland, Windham, Hampden and 3 more, CT and MA
Expired 9:45 p.m. EDT, August 7, 2026
NWS Boston/NortonWarningJuly 4, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Washington County, RI
Expired 10:45 p.m. EDT, July 4, 2026
NWS Boston/NortonWarningJuly 2, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Tolland, Windham, Hampden and 2 more, CT and MA
Expired 12:30 a.m. EDT, July 3, 2026
NWS Boston/NortonWarningJuly 1, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Tolland, Windham, Franklin and 6 more, CT and MA
Expired 1:00 a.m. EDT, July 2, 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 severe thunderstorm warning?
A severe thunderstorm warning means a storm is producing, or is about to produce, hail one inch across or larger and/or winds of 58 mph or more. 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.