Hartford, Connecticut – A sustained stretch of colder-than-normal weather is expected across Connecticut and Rhode Island from Friday through early next week, bringing persistent freezing temperatures and limited chances for widespread rain or snow across southern New England.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, the 8–14 day outlook for Jan. 30 through Feb. 5 places both states within a high-confidence zone for below-normal temperatures. Probabilities for colder-than-average conditions range from 80 to 100 percent across much of Connecticut and Rhode Island, placing the region near the core of the eastern U.S. cold pattern.
High temperatures across Hartford, New Haven, Providence, and surrounding communities are expected to remain several degrees below seasonal norms, while overnight lows frequently dip well below freezing. The cold air mass extends along the East Coast from New England through the Mid-Atlantic and coastal Carolinas and reaches as far south as Florida, while also pushing west into Ohio and Mississippi.
Despite the colder air, precipitation chances across Connecticut and Rhode Island are expected to trend below normal. The outlook favors drier-than-average conditions from Maine through the Mid-Atlantic, reducing the likelihood of frequent or significant snow events. While brief light snow, flurries, or localized coastal systems remain possible, the overall pattern does not support repeated storms or widespread accumulation.
Above-normal precipitation chances remain confined mainly to Texas, Florida, and the Pacific Northwest, while near-normal precipitation is more likely across parts of the southern Plains and Southwest.
Residents across Connecticut and Rhode Island should prepare for an extended period of winter cold, monitor for icy travel conditions during overnight and early morning hours, and take steps to protect pipes, pets, and vulnerable populations. Additional outlook updates may follow as the period approaches and confidence in local impacts increases.
