Forecast discussion: After two days of snow and wind, the Blizzard of 2013 has passed. Now, the clean-up work continues across Rhode Island. Before I begin the weather discussion, let me give you some quick facts and keep you up to date on what is going on in the state.
At 4 p.m., Governor Lincoln Chafee cancelled the state’s travel ban across the state. According to National Grid, a little below 133,300 people are without power across the state, as of 8:30 p.m. The company stated it could take two to three more days to get power restored. Providence hospitals have reported 153 storm related injuries. T.F. Green Airport in Warwick began accepting arriving flights after 6 p.m. Also, MBTA service has been suspended until Monday. Finally, if you were wondering, the town of Cumberland received the most snowfall in the state, at 28.5 inches.
Right now, high pressure is settling over New England for tonight, giving us the chance to see clear, starlit skies for the first time in a few days. However, with the fresh snow, temperatures this evening, along with the clear skies, will create some frigid temperatures. Due to these cold temperatures, and those homes without power, several heating centers are being set up across the state. As we move into tomorrow, we will see sunny skies for the entire day, with temperatures just getting above freezing. This will help plows move all that snow on the secondary roads and side streets, as well as help power crews work on the lines.
As we move into Monday, we will see milder air filter into Rhode Island, thanks to a warm front. However, the front will help create some sleet and possibly freezing rain in the first few hours of the precipitation. But, it will change over to rain showers, and temperatures will increase into the middle 40’s. High pressure will return for Tuesday, giving us mostly sunny skies with temperatures in the lower 40’s. However, by Tuesday night, temperatures will go below freezing, so any melted snow or water will turn back to ice or black ice.
We will see another dry day on Wednesday, before the possibility of another coastal low forming. This low will form over eastern Texas, move into the southeast U.S., then turn towards the Mid-Atlantic. At this time, all of the computer models take the low out to sea. So, the precipitation shield will remain to our south and east. If we were going to see rain, it would be by Thursday morning. However, with all of the computer models agreeing, I’m going to change our forecast from rain to mostly sunny skies. The dry weather will continue into Friday.
As we go into Saturday, there is the chance of seeing another low pressure system moving over Southern New England. This system could bring us a few snow showers early Saturday morning, before changing over to rain showers.
72 hour forecast:
Tonight: Clear skies and very cold with a low of 10.
Sunday: Mostly sunny with a high of 34. Winds will start from the northwest before turning to the west-southwest at 4-7 mph.
Sunday night: Mostly cloudy with a low of 20. Winds will come from the southwest at 3-6 mph.
Monday: Precipitation may start as a mix of sleet and rain by mid-morning before changing to all rain by late morning with a high of 45.
Monday night: Showers ending, with partial clearing and a low of 34.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny with a high of 43.
Tuesday night: Partly cloudy with a low of 25.
Extended Forecast:
Wednesday: Partly to mostly sunny. Highs 38-41, lows 25-28.
Thursday: Mostly sunny. Highs 40-43, lows 24-27.
Friday: Partly to mostly sunny. Highs 39-42, lows 25-28.
Saturday: Cloudy with light snow/rain. Highs 40-43, lows 20-23.
