Providence, Rhode Island – A colder and increasingly active pattern is setting up across Rhode Island as December begins, prompting a December Snow Alert while winter in Providence turns more unsettled. While it’s too early to determine exactly how many inches of snow could fall, one thing is certain: Rhode Island is positioned for an above-average amount as the month’s colder, storm-friendly pattern develops.
According to the Climate Prediction Center, below-normal temperatures and near- to above-normal precipitation are favored across southern New England through December. According to the National Weather Service in Boston, this setup typically supports multiple early-winter storm windows, including coastal systems that can produce accumulating snow inland and mixed precipitation along Narragansett Bay during marginal temperature events.
According to RIDOT, travel hazards will likely rise along I-95, Route 6, Route 146, and major commuter corridors through Providence and Pawtucket. Slick bridges, quick bursts of heavy snow during stronger fronts, and reduced visibility may slow the morning commute. Drivers should allow extra time, keep winter kits ready, and check road conditions before heading out.
Holiday parades, waterfront markets, and school events may see schedule adjustments if clippers or coastal storms track close to the state. Residents should dress in layers, protect pipes in older homes, and prepare for brief outages if wetter snow or gusty winds bring down limbs and lines.
Specific storm totals remain uncertain this far out, but long-range trends lean colder and more active — raising confidence that Rhode Island is headed for a snowy December and improving White Christmas prospects for inland communities.
