‘Very slow and treacherous’ commute expected

SNOW FALLS in downtown Providence Tuesday afternoon. The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory until 4 a.m. Wednesday. / PBN PHOTO/MARY MACDONALD
SNOW FALLS in downtown Providence Tuesday afternoon. The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory until 4 a.m. Wednesday. / PBN PHOTO/MARY MACDONALD

PROVIDENCE – Be ready for a “very slow and treacherous” late day commute, according to a statement Tuesday by the National Weather Service.

A winter weather advisory is in effect until 4 a.m. Wednesday.

The advisory says snow will continue this afternoon with a brief period of heavy snow over the next few hours with snowfall rates reaching between 1 and 2 inches per hour. Up to 4 inches of snow could fall during the storm.

The National Weather Service released the following special weather statement:

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“The steadiest and heaviest snow occurs through 4 p.m. across Connecticut and Rhode Island … However, until 7 p.m. for Southeast Massachusetts followed by lighter snows thereafter.”

The statement said the heavy snowfall rates will result in poor visibility and snow-covered roads, resulting in a “very slow and treacherous late day commute.”

The National Weather Service said the “snow intensity” will start to decrease between 4 and 7 p.m. from west to east, with lighter snow continuing this evening and overnight. It said most locations will see total snowfall between 2 and 4 inches.

The Providence mayor’s office said that due to winter storm conditions, after-school activities and recreation activities are canceled. There will also be a citywide parking ban beginning at midnight, which will remain in effect until 6 a.m. on Feb. 1.

All vehicles parked on the street in violation of the citywide parking ban will be ticketed and towed to ensure that roadways can be plowed, according to a statement from the mayor’s office.

WJAR-TV NBC 10 has a list of school districts that canceled after-school activities and programs due to the snow on its website.

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