PROVIDENCE – As streets were cleared Friday, Rhode Island and the rest of the Northeast are facing frigid temperatures and strong winds following the winter storm that blew through the region, dumping more than a foot of snow in some places Thursday.
The National Weather Service issued a wind chill advisory for all of Rhode Island and southeast Massachusetts from 7 p.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Sunday morning. The wind chill is expected to range from 10 degrees below zero to 25 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. The conditions will cause frostbite to exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
The NWS also said that the temperature before the wind chill is expected to drop to 1 degree Fahrenheit Saturday morning in Providence.
Electricity and gas prices skyrocketed Thursday, as the closure of offices caused a surge in midday demand. U.S. stockpiles of fuel are expected to take a “record plunge,” according to Bloomberg Friday.
The R.I. Public Transit Authority resumed bus service Friday, with a few routes still detoured to allow for continuing street plowing. Ferry service to Block Island was canceled Friday due to adverse sea conditions. Service is expected to return Saturday at 9 a.m.
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority resumed a normal weekday schedule Friday, as well, but warned that delays were possible.
T.F. Green Airport began to return to normal on Friday with a few cancellations and delays for departures and arrivals remaining.
State offices were open Friday, but remained in an adverse weather advisory.
The Alex and Ani City Center was closed Friday and said it will remain closed on Saturday due to the weather conditions.
According to the NWS, the most snowfall in Rhode Island occurred in Warren, where it snowed 16.9 inches. Providence reported 13.3 inches of snow.
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
