PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- A high wind watch has been issued for Rhode Island and portions of eastern Massachusetts ahead of a strong coastal storm that's headed for the region.

The watch from the National Weather Service is in effect from Wednesday morning through late Wednesday night.

The weather service says strong damaging winds could develop that down large tree limbs and power lines, causing scattered outages. The forecast calls for winds between 25 and 35 miles per hour. Gusts up to 60 mph are possible.

The coastal storm is expected to impact southern New England mid-week.