Rhode Island – A thin glaze clings to sidewalks and untreated side streets in Providence this morning as temperatures sit at 32 degrees. Headlights reflect off damp pavement, and a light mist hangs over I-95. Even though steady rain is winding down, the real concern now is black ice.
According to the National Weather Service in Boston/Norton, residual moisture and cold ground temperatures are creating isolated icy patches for the early commute. Widespread rain and freezing rain moved through earlier, but colder surfaces can still support slick spots until mid to late morning. Untreated walkways and parking lots may be especially slippery.
Drivers should slow down on bridges and overpasses, where temperatures drop fastest. Allow extra space between vehicles. Pedestrians should use caution on stairs and sidewalks.
Conditions improve by late morning as temperatures climb toward 54 degrees under mostly sunny skies. Fog fades and roads gradually dry. However, any refreeze risk returns tonight if skies clear and temperatures dip toward the mid-20s.
Thursday brings a 50% chance of rain after mid-morning, with highs near 40. Rain becomes more widespread Thursday night into Friday, when temperatures hover around 40 degrees. No significant snow is expected, but colder air nearby means interior Massachusetts could see brief mixing at times.
Saturday turns mostly cloudy with highs in the low 50s. Early next week trends milder, with upper 50s Monday and lower 60s Tuesday. Spring warmth is slowly building across southern New England.
Clocks spring ahead at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 8. We gain evening daylight as March adds over an hour of sun this month.
Five Day Outlook for Providence, RI:
Today: Mostly sunny, high 54.
Thursday: Chance of rain, high 40.
Friday: Rain likely, high 40.
Saturday: Mostly cloudy, high 53.
Sunday: Partly sunny, high 54.
