ZEMS BLOG

Severe weather alert: Winter storm warning For Northwest Providence County. Snow totals are expected to reach 6 to 10 inches. Winter weather warning Elsewhere up to 6 inches is possible (less towards the coast).

Good morning! This storm will affect us in three stages. The first started last night and continued until early this morning in the form of snow in most areas. The second will be a light mix during the morning. The third phase will be a rapid drop in temperature this morning and a return to snow accumulation as the storm withdraws. Below is a breakdown of each city individually.

Here's what we expect in map form.

today

We'll see a slight rise in temperatures this morning, then a quick drop this morning… dropping into the 30s from the northwest all the way to the coast by evening. Any surfaces not treated will freeze, so be sure to clear your steps/driveway before the afternoon. We'll see that due to snow accumulation starting around noon in northern Rhode Island.

hour by hour // A closer look at the situation ahead »

This morning expect a light mix of sleet, rain and snow, except perhaps all the snow in far northern Rhode Island.

The low pressure area responsible for all this snow, sleet, and rain will pass south of Rhode Island late this morning, so we still have a good chance of bringing in the ocean.

As a result, we will see a mix of light in the area during the morning. But this won't last all day.

In the afternoon, as the storm begins to subside, our winds become more northerly and cold air moves through the area, dropping below freezing during the afternoon. When that happens, we will see snow return to much of the region (from north to south during the afternoon). As temperatures drop, accumulations will begin again…even on the southern coast. In fact, this may be when most accumulations occur on the coast… in the late afternoon and evening.

Most of the snow should end between 8 and 9 p.m.

Traveling today will be bad. Road crews have been out all night plowing the road and with temperatures rising this morning, road conditions should improve (for those roads that have been plowed). Travel conditions are likely to deteriorate again this afternoon as temperatures drop and more snow falls. Expect poor visibility and snow-covered roads again this afternoon.