Providence, RI – A quiet, cold morning settles over downtown Providence today, with crisp air and a pale December sky hinting at changes to come. Forecasters say the calm will break midweek as a wintry mix of snow, rain, and freezing rain sweeps into Rhode Island Tuesday night — setting up tricky travel conditions into early Wednesday.
According to the National Weather Service in Gray-Portland, light snow could develop after midnight Tuesday, mixing with rain and freezing rain by daybreak Wednesday. Temperatures will hover near 32°F, raising concerns about slick roads and icy bridges, especially on higher terrain and shaded routes. The system will transition fully to rain by late morning as temperatures rise toward 46°F, but early commuters should plan for slower travel and possible reduced visibility.
Meteorologists note that while total precipitation will be light, black ice could be a factor on untreated surfaces as freezing rain briefly coats pavement. Wednesday afternoon looks milder but damp, with scattered showers before another push of colder air returns Wednesday night.
By Thursday, skies will clear and temperatures will steady near 39°F, setting up a dry, bright stretch to close the week. However, long-range models continue to track a potential cold surge and light snow chances from Dec. 11–17 across New England — just as early holiday travel begins to ramp up.
Residents are urged to use caution Tuesday night, keep salt or sand handy for walkways, and check on neighbors as temperatures dip.
Five-Day Outlook (Providence, RI):
- Tuesday: Increasing clouds, high 34°F.
- Wednesday: Freezing rain changing to rain, high 46°F.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, high 39°F.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, high 38°F.
- Saturday: Chance of snow, high 34°F.
