(Updated, 5:05 p.m.)
PROVIDENCE – Snow has already begun falling in Rhode Island and is expected through Thursday morning, continuing what has been a particularly snowy winter.
The National Weather Service has a winter storm warning in effect from 4 p.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. Thursday northern Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.
Snow accumulations are estimated between 8 to 12 inches.
“Luckily the brunt of it is going to happen overnight,” said Bill Simpson, a meteorologist at the service’s Taunton office.
The R.I. Department of Transportation was preparing to start sanding and salting operations Wednesday afternoon, spokesman Charles St. Martin said. That will be followed by plowing throughout the night as needed using the department’s approximately 120 pieces of equipment and about 400 additional trucks operated by private contractors.
“We will use [the equipment and contractors] as conditions warrant,” St. Martin said.
Martin said that while most of the snowfall is expected to taper off before Thursday’s rush-hour commute, drivers should expect slow going Thursday and should exercise caution.
The snowy winter has been costly for the DOT. As of Jan. 21, it had spent $9.1 million out of a $9.6 million budget for storm operations, St. Martin said. During the previous three years, the DOT has spent around $10.5 million annually to clean up after storms.
If the department exceeds its budget, it will continue to plow but look to trim expenses elsewhere. In prior years, the DOT has reduced overtime, scaled back the spring mowing schedule or delayed purchasing new equipment to offset the unanticipated storm expenses, St. Martin said.
Locally, 27 communities have already announced parking bans, including Providence, which will have a ban in effect beginning at 8 p.m. Wednesday and remaining in effect until 6 p.m. Thursday. Cars in violation of the ban will be ticketed and towed. Trash pickup in the Capital City will be delayed for one day.
Cranston has set out a parking ban from 8 p.m. Wednesday to 11 p.m. Thursday; West Warwick from 4 p.m. Wednesday to 4 p.m. Thursday; Newport from midnight until further notice.
For a full list, visit the turnto10.com closings/delays page.
Separately, R.I. Emergency Management Agency Executive Director David Smith told Providence Business News his agency plans to officially open its Emergency Operations Center in Cranston at 11 a.m. By 11 p.m., Smith said he expects additional personnel to arrive at the center, including those from the R.I. State Police, the R.I. Department of Transportation, National Grid and the Red Cross.
The agency is also preparing to hold conference calls Wednesday afternoon with the National Weather Service, local emergency management officials and school superintendents.
“Our role is to provide them with the latest information that’s available,” Smith said.
Smith said there are no indications that the governor plans to declare a state of emergency.
“The timing of this event and 6 to 10 inches of snow is something the state has gotten to a point where we’re handling it pretty comfortably,” Smith said.
Nonetheless, Smith said the agency planned to keep a close eye on power lines and flat roofs because the snow is expected to be the heavy variety.
He also asked Rhode Islanders to help keep storm drains and fire hydrants clear. He asked drivers to take it slow.
