Frost coats car windshields and breath hangs in the air across Providence this morning as temperatures sit at 27 degrees. Skies remain mostly clear for now, but the February chill is setting the stage for a damp and unsettled stretch heading into the weekend.
Rhode Island starts the day below freezing, and road surfaces may still hold icy patches.
According to the National Weather Service, a chance of rain develops later today with highs climbing to around 38 degrees. East winds increase to 5 to 7 mph this afternoon. While snowfall is not expected, temperatures hovering near freezing early can create slick spots on untreated roads and bridges before midday warming.
Use caution on I-95 and Route 6 during the morning drive.
Rain chances continue tonight with lows near 29 degrees. That near-freezing air raises a brief concern for patchy icing if precipitation lingers as temperatures dip. This is prime flash-freeze season across southern New England.
Saturday remains mostly cloudy with another chance of rain and highs near 36. Saturday night turns colder again, dropping to around 23 degrees. Sunday brings more clouds and a chance of rain, with highs near 37. Showers may redevelop Sunday night into Monday as highs struggle near 33 and northwest winds gust up to 28 mph.
Plan for damp pavement and brisk winds through early next week.
By midweek, temperatures edge upward. Highs reach the upper 30s Wednesday and low 40s Thursday. Longer-range trends point toward moderating conditions late next week, with signs of early spring warmth building across Rhode Island.
Five-Day Outlook for Providence:
- Saturday: Chance of rain, high 36.
- Sunday: Chance of rain, high 37.
- Monday: Chance of rain, high 33.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, high 36.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, high 39.
