A fast-moving winter storm will bring a variety of precipitation to Southeastern New England on Saturday. The storm is moving northeast a bit faster than previously thought, and snow or mixed precipitation will likely break out before dawn in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. There is a better chance of all snow inland at the precipitation onset. Some snow accumulation is possible in the morning from the coast to the I-95 corridor in RI before a change to mixed precipitation or rain by mid to late morning. Further inland, the transition to mixed precipitation or rain may be delayed until midday, and it’s still uncertain whether the precipitation will actually change from snow to mix/rain in NW RI and Worcester County.
Moderate rain/snow is likely in the afternoon. There is a better chance of snow/mix inland, with rain/snow/mix from the coast to I-95. Late in the day, the precipitation will likely change back to all snow from northwest to southeast throughout RI and SE MA, and it will continue until mid to late evening, ending between 8-10 pm. There will probably be some snow accumulation after the rain/mix from the coast to Providence. The best chance of heavy, wet snow really piling up is in the hills of NW RI and Worcester County.
This is a very close call between snow/rain for most of the area, and it’s possible that the forecast will change during the day on Saturday. At times, the precipitation may come down as heavy, wet snow, and when is lighter, it may be rain, sleet or freezing rain.
Winds will be active near the coast, with 30-40 mph gusts possible near the RI and Buzzards Bay coasts. 40+ mph gusts are likely on Cape Cod and the islands.
Even though the precipitation may change to rain for a significant part of the storm, the temperature will likely not get above the mid 30s, and travel could be hazardous in the early evening as colder air arrives. This is a storm that needs to be watched closely, and we will have a Live Blog all day on rightweather.com.
Skies will clear with a gusty northwest wind Saturday night. Lows will be in the low to mid 20s Sunday morning. It will be mostly sunny and brisk on Sunday afternoon. Highs will be in the 30s. The start of next workweek looks cold. A snowstorm is possible Monday night into Tuesday if it develops close enough to Southern New England. There is still uncertainty about where the storm will develop and what track it will take, but there should be plenty of cold air around to allow for snow if it tracks close enough to the New England coast. A plowable snow and strong winds are possible Monday night through Tuesday. It’s a close call, and we’ll keep you posted.
It will be dry and very cold Wednesday into Thursday.