Weekend Snowstorm: Up To 8 Inches To Follow Icy, Snowy Mix Across RI

RHODE ISLAND — An ill-timed mix of snow, ice, sleet and freezing fog — totaling between 2 and 4 inches across most of Rhode Island — could be followed by a much bigger snowstorm slamming southern New England ahead of Super Bowl Sunday.

Dozens of schools across Rhode Island were closed or had virtual learning days on Thursday as snow arrived shortly after the morning commute and was expected to continue through the afternoon, with sleet and freezing rain mixing in closer to the coast.

After a brief respite on Friday and Sunday with sun, cold and wind, the next system is set to move in late Saturday night and provide one of the bigger thumpings of snow in more than three years upon parts of the Ocean State.

The National Weather Service forecast on Thursday morning was calling for snow, mainly after midnight, that could be heavy at times. The NWS said the chance of precipitation is 90 percent, with "new snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible."

According to the NWS, the Providence area has a 51 percent chance of getting at least 6 inches of snow.

The snow should be wrapped up by late Sunday morning — allowing plenty of time for shoveling ahead of those Super Bowl parties on Sunday night.

Have a news tip? Email jimmy.bentley@patch.com.