Providence, Rhode Island – A noticeable shift away from persistent winter cold is expected across Rhode Island by Thursday as temperatures rise above freezing, opening the door to a mid-February thaw that could quickly change road and travel conditions statewide.
According to the National Weather Service and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, the 8–14 day outlook valid from Friday, February 13 through Thursday, February 19 favors above-normal temperatures across all of Rhode Island. Daytime highs are expected to reach the mid to upper 30s beginning Thursday, accelerating snowmelt on city streets, sidewalks, and coastal roadways.
Providence, Warwick, Cranston, and Newport all fall within the warmer-than-average signal, with overnight lows also moderating closer to the freezing mark. While the warmer air reduces the risk of prolonged ice, it increases the likelihood of slush, ponding water, and slick conditions during early morning and evening commute hours.
Precipitation probabilities trend near to slightly above normal during this period, raising the potential for rain or a rain-snow mix as warmer air pushes into southern New England. Major routes including I-95, Route 4, and Route 146 could see reduced traction where melting snow drains poorly or refreezes after dark.
The milder pattern is expected to hold into the middle of next week. Residents should stay alert for updated advisories as precipitation timing becomes clearer and additional short-term alerts may be issued.
