Providence, Rhode Island – Rhode Island is facing an extended stretch of winter weather as lingering cold across the Northeast keeps the potential for additional snowstorms elevated through mid-February, following a massive system that recently disrupted travel and daily life across much of the country.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, temperatures across Rhode Island are expected to remain below normal during the Feb. 7–20 period. With cold air firmly in place, any storm system moving through the region would likely bring snow, and longer-range outlooks suggest an active pattern capable of producing periods of heavy accumulation.
The concern comes on the heels of Winter Storm Fern, which swept from Texas to Maine and affected more than two dozen states. Fern dropped nearly two feet of snow in parts of New York and New England, with widespread totals exceeding a foot reported from Texas through the Mid-Atlantic. In Rhode Island, the storm created hazardous travel along Interstates 95 and 295, led to school disruptions, and caused scattered power outages as heavy snow and gusty winds moved through the state.
With cold conditions expected to persist, communities from Providence and Warwick to Cranston, Woonsocket, and the South County area could see renewed impacts if similarly strong systems develop. Rhode Island Department of Transportation officials warn that back-to-back snow events can quickly deteriorate road conditions, particularly during overnight hours when temperatures remain well below freezing.
Emergency management officials are urging residents to prepare now by checking heating systems, restocking winter supplies, and limiting travel during snow events when possible. While the exact timing of future storms remains uncertain, forecasters say the broader pattern supports continued winter threats. Additional advisories and alerts may be issued as confidence increases, with cold and snow likely remaining a recurring concern across Rhode Island through mid-February.
