Providence, RI – Rhode Island will see its first true taste of winter early next week as a strong Arctic cold front moves through the region, ending the mild fall pattern that has dominated much of November. According to the NOAA Weather Prediction Center, the front will cross the state late Monday, November 10, bringing sharply colder temperatures and the season’s first widespread frost and freeze by Tuesday morning, November 11.
Forecasters say lows will drop into the upper-20s inland and low-30s along the coast, with even Narragansett Bay communities likely to dip near freezing. Frost and freeze alerts are expected to be issued by the National Weather Service as cold high pressure settles overhead behind the front.
Northwest winds will gust between 20 and 30 mph Monday evening, ushering in the coldest air so far this fall. Tuesday morning will bring crisp, clear skies, but unseasonably chilly readings — highs will struggle to reach the low-40s across much of the state.
The Weather Prediction Center’s Day 3–7 Hazards Outlook highlights Rhode Island within a broad “Frost/Freeze” zone stretching from the Gulf Coast to the Mid-Atlantic and New England. This widespread cold wave marks one of the earliest and most extensive early-November freezes in recent years.
Residents are urged to bring in potted plants, cover sensitive vegetation, and ensure outdoor pets have warm shelter. Drivers should also watch for icy spots on bridges and shaded rural roads during the Tuesday morning commute.
Temperatures are expected to moderate slightly by midweek but remain below seasonal averages through at least Thursday.
