A Wind Advisory is in effect Wednesday afternoon and evening when a fast-moving storm is expected to impact the area. Residents of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts can expect heavy rain, gusty winds, and possible power outages. Winds may gust as high as 55 MPH.

Read the text of the National Weather Service Advisory below:

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
1 AM EST THURSDAY...

* WHAT...South winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts between 40 and 50
  mph. A few gusts up to 55 mph are possible.

* WHERE...Portions of southeastern Massachusetts and northern
  and southern Rhode Island.

* WHEN...Strongest of these winds will occur between 3 and 10 pm
  this evening.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects.
  Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may
  result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high
profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

Lifestyle Editor Ken Abrams writes about music, the arts and more for What'sUpNewp. He is also an Editor and Writer for Hey Rhody Media. Ken DJ's "The Kingston Coffeehouse," a roots/folk/rock radio show every Tuesday, 6-9 PM on WRIU 90.3 FM. He is a former educator in the Scituate, RI school system where he taught Social Studies for over 30 years. He is on the board of the Rhode Island Folk Festival and Newport Live (formerly Common Fence Music), a non-profit that brings diverse musical acts to...