After today's rainy, snowy Nor'easter pulls away, RI's weekend forecast isn't crystal clear

Jack Perry, Providence Journal
·2 min read

PROVIDENCE − A late-season Nor'easter that brought a lot of rain, a little snow and powerful winds to Rhode Island will pull out of the region today, the National Weather Service says.

"Precipitation and gusty winds will be winding down today as the storm system pulls away. It will feel more like early February today rather then early April with temps in the mid-30s, and wind chill values in the mid-20s," the weather service said on X.

"Unsettled conditions may linger into this weekend as the storm will be slow to depart," the weather service said in its forecast discussion.

This radar image posted to social media by the National Weather Service shows rain, sleet and snow continuing early this morning.
This radar image posted to social media by the National Weather Service shows rain, sleet and snow continuing early this morning.

How much snow and rain fell in RI?

As of midnight, the storm had brought more than an inch of rain to the Providence area. Harrisville reported an inch of snow as of early this morning.

A wind gust of 66 mph was recorded on Block Island, 60 mph in Woonsocket and 46 mph in Newport.

As of about 8:20 a.m., Rhode Island Energy's map was showing eight outages affecting 124 customers.

The weather service is warning of potentially slippery road conditions in the northwestern part of the state due to sleet and temperatures in the 30s.

A flood warning continues for the Pawtuxet River at Cranston and the Pawcatuck River At Wood River Junction and Westerly.

More: Where to watch the eclipse in Rhode Island: Partial eclipse still comes with full-size fun

A gale warning is in effect off the Rhode Island coast for northeast winds of 20 to 30 knots gusting up to 45 knots and seas of 6 to 11 feet. The Block Island Ferry has canceled its 7:30 a.m. boat from Point Judith and its 9:15 a.m. boat from Block Island. It will decide by 10 a.m. whether other boats will run.

The high today in the Providence area should reach only about 40 degrees; the temperature will drop to near freezing tonight, the weather service says.

Will conditions improve for viewing the solar eclipse Monday?

Friday and Saturday will bring a chance of showers. Sunday looks mostly cloudy.

As of Thursday morning, the weather service is forecasting improving conditions for Monday, but clouds could obscure viewing conditions for the solar eclipse.

"While dry conditions are likely for the eclipse on Monday, not expecting skies to be completely clear," the weather service says in its forecast discussion. "Those with an interest in the eclipse should monitor later forecasts through this weekend."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI Weather: Nor'easter brought wind, rain, snow moves off leaving cold temps