 This will also be the case over portions of eastern Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas. Meanwhile, thunderstorms near the nation's capitals south through parts of Virginia and North Carolina can be strong this afternoon, capable of reducing localized damage in wind gusts and flash flooding. While much of the northern New England states will escape the wet weather today with a mix of clouds and sunshine around Boston and Portland, a straight afternoon thunderstorm can sneak into parts of Connecticut and Rhode Island.