RI Blizzard: State Of Emergency, Travel Ban For 2 Feet Of Snow

RHODE ISLAND — With just hours to go until the storm's expected arrival, the National Weather Service once again upped the expected snow accumulation for what is shaping up to be the most significant storm to hit southern New England this year.

Gov. Dan McKee said that with the timeline and projected snowfall, it could be the highest snowfall rate in the state's history.

"This is serious," McKee said at a news conference Friday afternoon. "The best way to handle this storm is to stay home [Saturday.]"

Friday afternoon, the NWS released a new map, with expected snowfall now 18 to 24 inches across Rhode Island. A blizzard warning will be in effect statewide from 12:01 a.m. Saturday until 12:01 a.m. Sunday. Expect extremely dangerous conditions during the height of the storm, with heavy, sustained snowfall and wind gusts up to 65 mph in parts of the state.

McKee echoed the weather service's message, urging Rhode Islanders to stay home and off the roads on Saturday. A tractor-trailer ban will be in place from 6 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. Saturday, and a travel ban for all vehicles will be in effect from 8 a.m. until at least 8 p.m., the governor said.

State Police Col. James Manni urged Rhode Islanders to stay off the roads to allow plows and emergency vehicles to safely navigate highways during the storm. Emergency workers and essential health care workers will be allowed on the road, Manni said, but he emphasized the importance of staying home unless it is absolutely necessary to go out.

"We don't issue these travel bans lightly," Manni said.

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority suspended all service for Saturday.

The governor issued a state of emergency for the storm, saying that it would not only help with recovery efforts during the storm, but cleanup in the aftermath, as well.

"This will likely be a storm we talk about for years to come," Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos said.

Related: RI Winter Storm: Tips To Stay Safe

The first flakes aren't expected to arrive until after midnight, with the storm picking up overnight and dropping up to four inches by morning. The NWS predicted that the storm will continue throughout the day Saturday, tapering off before midnight.

Ahead of the storm, the Rhode Island Department of Health announced that all state-run COVID-19 testing and vaccine sites will close on Saturday.

Cities and towns across the state have declared parking bans, with some lasting from Friday evening until Sunday morning.