A cold Sunday night and a chilly Monday morning followed the first major snowstorm of 2017. Providence hit the single digits Monday morning, and Taunton, Massachusetts fell to -10 in the early morning hours, according to the National Weather Service.
But the cold snap may be short lived. Forecasters expect warmer temperatures and possibly even some rain between Tuesday and Thursday or Friday, before a return to “seasonable cold” over the weekend. There’s also a chance for “wintry precipitation” next weekend.
Snow Totals From Saturday Storm
Checking snow totals from Saturday and Sunday morning, as reported by trained spotters and National Weather Service employees:
Plymouth 19 inches
Dartmouth 16 inches
Westerly 15.5 inches
Block Island 15 inches
East Greenwich 12 inches
Warwick 10 inches
Rumford 10.3 inches
Providence 10 inches
Attleboro 9.2 inches
Woonsocket 7.5 inches
Cold Snap Expected After Snowstorm
Before the snow had even begun to taper off Saturday night, temperatures were forecast to drop well below freezing. The National Weather Service said lows would hit 11 degrees in Providence, 15 degrees in Newport and 13 degrees in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
A gale warning was issued for Narragansett Bay through 11 p.m., and a winter storm warning remained in effect from Rhode Island all the way to Boston until Sunday at 1 a.m.
Gusty winds and snow-covered roads were expected to make travel difficult in many areas. Several accidents were reported through the day on Saturday. Rhode Island State Police warned residents to take it slow, and watch out for black ice lurking underneath the snow. Transportation crews said major roads were passable but advised skipping any unnecessary travel.
Airline traffic came to a near standstill at T.F. Green Airport, as many flights were canceled throughout Saturday afternoon and evening. Check your flight status here.
Forecasters said Sunday morning would be partly sunny, but a chance of snow showers remained for Sunday afternoon. Temperatures were not expected to rise above the mid-20s.
Sunday night could get as cold as 5 degrees.
Many organizations canceled activities on Saturday as the snow came down. The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority had to detour several bus routes. A full list of current closures, delays and parking bans is available here.
According to National Weather Service spotters, New Bedford had already recorded 11 inches of snow as of late Saturday afternoon. Attleboro reported five inches, with similar amounts in Cumberland, Rhode Island. Green, RI posted six inches. Snowfall totals are likely to be higher once the final tallies come in.
National Grid reported no power outages as of early Saturday evening.
Winter Storm May Drop Up To 12 Inches Of Snow Saturday
Forecasters have upgraded the forecast for Saturday’s snow storm, warning 8-12 inches could blanket Rhode Island, including Block Island, and parts of Massachusetts. Blizzard conditions are possible on Cape Cod and coastal areas near Plymouth. The heaviest snowfall is expected to develop on Saturday afternoon and evening.
A winter storm warning was in effect through 1 a.m. Sunday.
The National Weather Service in Taunton said snow could begin falling as early as Saturday morning, becoming heavy at times in the afternoon and early evening hours. A light snow had started in the Providence area around 10:15 a.m. Forecasters expected the storm to taper off by midnight.
The forecast also called for winds of 10-20 miles per hour, with the occasional gust up to 35 miles per hour.
Communities including Providence, Newport and Bristol have issued parking bans. Click here for a full list of parking bans, closures and snow delays.
Blizzard Warning For Cape Cod, Plymouth
The National Weather Service posted a blizzard warning for some coastal areas, including Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, where snow totals could reach up to 16 inches. As much as 18 inches of snow were possible in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Forecasters said blowing and drifting snow could result in near white-out conditions, with the greatest danger likely between 4 and 10 p.m.
Winter Storm Watch Issued For RI, Parts Of MA and CT
After snowfall snarled some commutes on Friday morning, forecasters at the National Weather Service have issued a winter storm watch for Saturday. Between four and eight inches of snow are possible, forecasters said.
The weekend storm is expected to develop Saturday morning, then spread through the region, with the heaviest snowfall predicted for late afternoon and evening. The storm watch affects all of Rhode Island, eastern Massachusetts and eastern Connecticut.
Forecasters expect the snowfall to taper off on Saturday night.
Snow totals on Friday morning varied from about an inch in Cumberland, reported by a National Weather Service employee, to five inches in Little Compton, according to a trained spotter. New Bedford also saw about five inches, while Taunton reported about three inches.
Note: This post has been updated to reflect the latest forecast.
