Stormstorm Arrives Right on Schedule

A winter storm warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for all of Rhode Island beginning 4 am Thursday and lasting through 10 am Friday morning as a significant snow storm heads our way.

Light snow is expected to begin falling after midnight today, according to the RI Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA), with the heaviest and steadiest snowfall occurring late Thursday into Friday morning. Snowfall may make driving difficult at times and visibility may be reduced. Motorists are reminded to drive with caution.

Temperatures are expected to remain in the 20s through the entire state, WJAR Channel 10 reports, leaving little chance of a mix, boosting snowfall totals. Forecasts agree that most of Rhode Island will get 6-10 inches, with more possible along the coast. WPRI Channel 12 is calling for as much as a foot of snow north of Providence. It's possible the southern part of the state could get a couple inches less, but forecast totals have been trending up.

Here are some winter weather preparedness tips from RIEMA:

• Expect extreme cold temperatures and wind chills for Rhode Island in the next several days with temperatures well below normal. 
  Add winter blankets, warm clothes, hats, scarves, and mittens to individual emergency kits.
• Make sure you can heat at least one room in your home even if the power or furnace is not available.
• Add extra blankets, snow shovel, ice scraper, windshield washer fluid, and a bag of sand or cat litter (for traction) to your car emergency kit.
• Make sure your car's tires have enough tread on them.
• Fill your car's gas tank.
• Continue to monitor TV, radio stations and social media outlets for updates to weather reports.

For additional information on winter preparedness, visit www.riema.ri.gov.