Rhode Island – A sharp 21-degree chill grips Providence this morning, and frost coats car roofs from Federal Hill to College Hill. The air feels still, but the cold is biting enough to refreeze any leftover moisture on sidewalks and overpasses.
Drivers along I-95 and Route 6 should stay alert for slick spots in shaded areas. This is the time of year when melting snow during the day turns into black ice after dark.
According to the National Weather Service in Norton, today turns mostly sunny with highs near 48 degrees. Light south winds develop late this morning. Roads will improve through the afternoon as temperatures climb well above freezing.
Clouds increase tonight with a low around 27. Then attention shifts to Sunday as March begins. Snow develops mainly after 1 p.m., with an 80 percent chance of precipitation. Around 1 inch of accumulation is possible before sunset. Highs will hover near 37 degrees, so untreated roads could become slushy quickly.
Plan extra time if traveling Sunday afternoon. Conditions may change fast as steady snow moves in.
Sunday night turns sharply colder. Lows drop to around 9 degrees with northwest winds. Any slush left on pavement could refreeze, creating flash freeze concerns into early Monday. Monday stays sunny but cold, with highs only near 26.
A mix returns Tuesday with snow between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., then rain after 2 p.m. Highs reach 41. Rain continues Tuesday night before tapering Wednesday as temperatures rebound near 46.
The broader pattern shows Arctic air pressing into New England while record warmth builds in the Southwest. By late next week, temperatures may moderate closer to seasonal levels, hinting at gradual spring warmth.
How are roads in your neighborhood today? Let us know what you’re seeing.
Five Day Outlook for Providence, RI
Sunday: Snow after 1 p.m., high 37.
Monday: Sunny, high 26.
Tuesday: Snow changing to rain, high 41.
Wednesday: Rain likely early, then mostly sunny, high 46.
Thursday: Chance of rain or snow, high 48.
