Providence, Rhode Island – Slippery roads and strong coastal wind gusts could disrupt travel across Rhode Island beginning Thursday, Feb. 26, as a wetter late-winter pattern raises the risk for freezing rain and wind impacts through Monday, March 2.
According to NOAA’s 6- to 10-day outlook issued Friday, above-normal precipitation is favored across New England during the Thursday-to-Monday stretch. With temperatures expected to hover near seasonal averages, brief dips toward 32 degrees could allow freezing rain to develop, particularly during overnight hours and early morning commutes.
Statewide impacts may focus along the I-95 corridor from Pawtucket through Providence and into Warwick, where bridges and elevated ramps freeze first. In Providence, overpasses near the I-195 split and Route 6 connector could turn slick if light ice accumulates. Coastal communities including Newport and Narragansett may see mainly rain, but even a short period of icing inland could create hazardous travel conditions.
Wind risk increases late in the period, especially Sunday into Monday. Gusts between 40 and 45 mph are possible along the Narragansett Bay shoreline and exposed coastal areas. Those winds could bring down tree limbs and lead to scattered power outages.
Residents should secure outdoor items, charge electronic devices, and allow extra time for travel during peak icing windows. The unsettled pattern continues through March 2, and additional advisories may be issued as systems approach the Ocean State.
