Providence, RI – Rhode Islanders woke up to another crisp December morning under mostly clear skies, but winter’s grip is tightening fast. Temperatures near 27°F early Sunday will fall sharply by Monday night, bottoming out close to 10°F—the coldest reading so far this season.
According to the National Weather Service, light northwest winds will build through Monday, gusting near 25 mph and making it feel even colder. Monday’s high may only reach 28°F before another frigid night ahead. Residents are urged to prepare for icy conditions during the Monday morning commute and to limit time outdoors as wind chills drop near zero across inland areas.
By Tuesday, a brief warmup begins under mostly sunny skies, with highs recovering to the mid-30s. But conditions change quickly midweek: forecasters expect clouds to return Wednesday, bringing a 50% chance of rain—and a possible rain–snow mix in northern Rhode Island and along the Massachusetts border by late afternoon. Any snow accumulation should remain under one inch, but slick roads and reduced visibility could impact evening travel on I-95 and Route 146.
Looking ahead, late-week temperatures will rebound to the 40s before colder, stormier air returns the following weekend. Long-range models hint at an Arctic front between December 11–17, which could deliver another round of lake-effect snow and sharply colder air to New England—potentially the coldest stretch of December yet.
Five-Day Outlook (Providence, RI)
- Monday: Sunny, high 28°F, windy.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, high 36°F.
- Wednesday: 50% chance rain/snow, high 46°F.
- Thursday: Partly sunny, high 42°F.
- Friday: Cloudy, chance of rain or flurries, high 37°F.
