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Rhode Island Thanksgiving: 'Micro Blizzards' Could Hit Providence, RI
Providence, RI – Imagine heading south on Interstate 95 for Thanksgiving, traveling through Pr…
By Paige Sullivan · 2026-11-14T10:53:04.043Z
Providence, RI – Imagine heading south on Interstate 95 for Thanksgiving, traveling through Providence toward Warwick as holiday traffic fills the highway. Suddenly, a burst of heavy snow sweeps across the roadway. Cars ahead begin disappearing behind blowing snow, brake lights become difficult to see and a familiar holiday drive turns dangerous within moments. It's a winter weather scenario Rhode Island motorists should be prepared for as Thanksgiving approaches Thursday, Nov. 26.
According to the National Weather Service NWS , these sudden bursts of intense snowfall, officially known as snow squalls and sometimes described as "micro blizzards," can produce gusty winds, near zero visibility and rapidly deteriorating road conditions.
Unlike prolonged winter storms, snow squalls can develop quickly, leaving drivers little time to react.
Rhode Island Highways Where Sudden Whiteouts Are a Concern Interstate 95, connecting Pawtucket, Providence, Warwick and southern Rhode Island, is a major Thanksgiving travel corridor where sudden winter weather can create hazardous driving conditions.
Interstate 295 around Providence, Route 146 toward Woonsocket, Route 4 through Kent County and Route 138 near Newport also face winter driving risks.
Motorists traveling through Providence, Kent, Washington, Newport and Bristol counties should monitor changing forecasts, particularly when snow showers and gusty winds are possible.
Exposed highways and bridges may experience rapidly changing visibility, while pavement temperatures near freezing can increase the risk of slippery conditions.
What Happens When a Snow Squall Warning Is Issued? The NWS issues Snow Squall Warnings when dangerous snow squalls are occurring or imminent.
Warnings typically last 30 to 60 minutes and may trigger Wireless Emergency Alerts on compatible mobile phones.
Sudden whiteouts at interstate speeds can increase the risk of multivehicle crashes, particularly when drivers brake abruptly or follow too closely.
What Thanksgiving Travelers Should Do If a Snow Squall Warning is issued, the safest option is to delay travel until conditions improve .
Drivers already traveling should gradually reduce speed, increase following distance, activate low beam headlights and avoid sudden braking.
If visibility deteriorates, safely exit the highway when possible rather than stopping in an active travel lane.
Before departing, motorists should check 511 Rhode Island for traffic conditions and NWS Boston/Norton for official forecasts and warnings covering Rhode Island.
This is a Thanksgiving travel preparedness reminder, not a prediction that snow squalls will strike Rhode Island during the holiday. Recognizing how quickly these dangerous winter conditions can develop could help motorists make safer travel decisions as Thanksgiving approaches.