Winter storm dumps wintry mix over R.I., Mass.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE issued a winter storm warning on Tuesday for heavy snow, freezing rain and ice accumulation stretching across the U.S. Midwest and into the Northeast. In the map above, pink represents areas under a National Weather Service winter storm warning, while purple represents areas under a winter weather advisory. / COURTESY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE issued a winter storm warning on Tuesday for heavy snow, freezing rain and ice accumulation stretching across the U.S. Midwest and into the Northeast. In the map above, pink represents areas under a National Weather Service winter storm warning, while purple represents areas under a winter weather advisory. / COURTESY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

(Updated, Feb. 5, 2:22 p.m.)

PROVIDENCE – Winter Storm Nika laid a wintry mix of snow and sleet across Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts on Wednesday, with accumulation of 3 to 6 inches in most parts of Rhode Island and close to 12 inches in the northern part of the state.

After reduced visibility and snow-covered roads slowed the Wednesday morning commute, the National Weather Service ended its winter storm warning for the Providence area in the early afternoon, as snowfall began tapering off.

Despite the reprieve, the majority of flights out of T.F. Green Airport between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. had been canceled as of Wednesday afternoon. The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority detoured 18 bus routes across the state until further notice, and canceled all Ride Program services for Wednesday, except for “Americans with Disabilities Act and vital medical trips.”

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For an updated listing of all RIPTA detours, visit www.ripta.com.

The state adverse weather policy put into effect by Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee on Tuesday for government workers shifts ended at noon on Wednesday, and citywide parking ban that went into effect in Providence at midnight ended at 2 p.m.

Parking bans also went into effect Tuesday night or Wednesday morning in a number of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts towns. For a complete and updated listing of all parking bans in effect, as well as local cancellations and delays, visit the Rhode Island Broadcasters Association closings site at www.ribroadcasters.com.

The General Assembly cancelled scheduled floor sessions and committee hearings for Wednesday, and Mayor Angel Taveras’ State of the City Address planned for Wednesday evening was rescheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 11.

Unemployment insurance and temporary disability insurance call centers – normally open from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesdays – will be closed Wednesday, Feb. 5. Individuals may still file an insurance claim online at www.dlt.ri.gov, and those needing to certify for their weekly payments may still use teleserve by calling (401) 243-9600. Individuals can use the temporary disability insurance automated phone system to update their claim status information by calling (401) 462-8420.

Providence Public Schools remain closed and all after-school activities canceled on Wednesday per a Tuesday afternoon announcement from Taveras’ office. City Hall will remain open Wednesday, but trash pickup will not take place on Wednesday. Garbage removal for the rest of the week will be delayed one day.

The Roger Williams Park Zoo, Museum of Natural History and Botanical Center will be closed tomorrow, along with all Providence recreation centers. The Providence skating rink at the Bank of America City Center will be closed until 6 p.m. Wednesday.

National Grid issued a statement Tuesday saying its crews are prepared to handle the power outages likely to result from heavy, wet snowfall, ice accumulation, and potential high winds and flooding.

National Grid advised its customers to stay off the roads while utility crews work to restore outages. Customers can receive text-message alerts and updates on service interruptions by texting the word “STORM” to 64743, and can also follow the storm on their mobile devices using the National Grid mobile app.

Email alerts are available to customers who create an online profile on the National Grid website at www1.nationalgridus.com. National Grid customers who experience outages should call National Grid’s outage line at (800) 465-1212 immediately to expedite restoration.

For more storm information and weather updates, access the following resources:

  • R.I. Emergency Management Agency: www.riema.ri.gov
  • Providence Emergency Management Agency: @pema591
  • National Weather Service: http://forecast.weather.gov
  • United Way 2-1-1: www.211ri.org
  • R.I. Department of Transportation: www.dot.ri.gov
  • R.I. State Police: www.risp.ri.gov

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