Strong Winds, Power Outages Expected

The National Weather Service (NWS) has extended a wind advisory on Thursday morning as strong, damaging winds from a passing nor'easter continue to effect Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.

East Providence has several dozen customers without power this morning in scattered outages and, throughout the state, about 4,668 Rhode Island customers were powerless at 8:15 a.m., according to National Grid's power outage map.

Gusts of up to 45 mph with sustained winds of 20 mph to 30 mph are expected to last through 3 p.m. today.

"Winds this strong are capable of downing small tree limbs and branches, possibly causing isolated power outages," states the advisory issued by the NWS in Taunton, MA. "Driving can also be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles."

The Newport Pell and Jamestown bridges closed traffic to box trucks and certain commercial vehicles around 6:15 a.m. due to sustained gusty winds. The Sakonnet River and Mount Hope bridges remain open at this time.

For more updates on the "Son of Sandy" Nor'easter, click the "Keep Me Posted" button below.