… Winter Storm Watch now in effect from Friday morning through
Saturday afternoon…
* locations… Rhode Island and southeast Massachusetts.
* Hazard types… heavy snow.
* Accumulations… snow accumulation of 8 to 15 inches.
* Timing… light snow develops by Friday morning. Snow will
increase intensity during Friday afternoon. There may be a brief
change over to rain especially near the South Coast during the
afternoon. The rain should Switch Back to heavy snow by Friday
night and Saturday morning… when the bulk of the storm is
expected.
* Impacts… heavy snow and very strong winds will bring the
potential for near blizzard conditions. The worst of the storm
will be Friday night into Saturday morning. Snowfall rates of 2
to 3 inches per hour possible. Travel may become nearly
impossible with blowing and drifting snow.
* Winds… northeast 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph.
* Visibilities… one quarter mile or less at times.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
A Winter Storm Watch is issued for the potential of accumulating
snow of 6 or more inches in a 12 hour period… or 8 or more
inches in a 24 hour period. Anyone traveling in the next 24 to
36 hours should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to modify
travel plans should winter weather develop.
