PROVIDENCE – The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning that the region can expect 8 to 12 inches of show will fall Thursday. In localized areas, the NWS added, 14 inches of snow can be expected.
The NWS advises that the storm will bring near-blizzard conditions with significant reduction in visibility. The snow is also expected to be heavy, with potential to do damage to power lines and trees.
The storm warning is currently expected to start at 1 a.m. Thursday and remain in effect until 1 a.m. Friday. The coverage area includes all of Rhode Island and portions of Eastern Massachusetts all the way north of Boston.
Conditions are expected to be blizzard conditions in Fall River, New Bedford and New Shoreham, with winds gusting 60 to 70 miles per hour with accumulation from 7 to 10 inches. Widespread power outages are possible. The blizzard warning is in effect with the same timeline as the winter storm warning, from 1 a.m. Thursday to 1 a. m. Friday.
The NWS said that travel conditions will be extremely dangerous during this storm and explicitly warns against traveling during the storm.
The NWS advised that if residents must travel they should bring a winter survival kit, as well as “keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.”
Offshore, hurricane winds are expected, where waves could be twice their normal, or significant, height.
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
