Slow start to snow, but big impact coming

The heaviest snowfall should begin about 9 a.m., lasting into the afternoon

EastBayRI.com ·

There was a slight delay getting started Tuesday morning, but snow is now falling across the region, and the worse is yet to come.

The heaviest snowfall should begin about 9 a.m., according to turnto10.com meterologists. For several hours the white stuff will be falling at a rate of nearly two inches an hour, making roads treacherous and driving dangerous.The heavy snowfall will continue into the early afternoon hours, when a shift will begin.

Rain should begin to mix in with the snow, owing to a slightly more westward track than originally forecast. While the mix of rain will keep snow totals down, it brings its own hazards. Already a wet, heavy snow, the rain will turn the snow into cement, making shoveling difficult and potentially dangerous.

All tolled, most of the East Bay should see something between 6 and 10 inches, less than the original forecast of more than a foot, but still a significant storm , the timing of which adds to the dangers.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning, which remains in effect through 3 p.m. Gov. Gina Raimondo on Monday, while declining to issue a state of emergency or institute a travel ban, asked residents to stay home Tuesday to allow road crews to make travel safe.

Schools throughout the state have cancelled classes Tuesday, and parking bans have been issued in many communities. A list of closings and town-by-town updates are below. Check back with eastbayri.com for more updates as they become available throughout the storm.

Barrington


Bristol


East Providence

 

Little Compton


Portsmouth

Tiverton

Warren

Westport

Check back with eastbayri.com before and throughout the storm for more information as it becomes available.

Winter 2017