RI Weather: Elevated Fire Risk Sunday, Then Snow Monday

The National Weather Service is sticking to its forecast for snow, starting Sunday night and continuing Monday. The prediction for Rhode Island is for 1 to 3 inches. But besides snow, fire is also a concern, statewide. In addition to issuing a hazardous weather outlook, the forecasters have also put out a special weather statement to warn everyone fires could spread quickly, due to gusty winds.

The snow prediction is based on a cold front coming through on Sunday combined with an "upper level disturbance." Here is the discussion.

After a cold front passes through the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic on Sunday, the cool air and an upper level disturbance will lead to the potential for snow by Sunday night into Monday morning. Snowfall totals in the major cities are expected to be about an inch. Higher snow totals of 3 to 6 inches are currently expected in interior Pennsylvania, western Maryland, and eastern West Virginia.

Here is the special weather statement.

Elevated Risk for Fire Spread on Sunday...

Rhode Island fire officials have advised of an elevated fire
spread potential Sunday afternoon. Officials are mainly concerned
with the ongoing drying of fuels and locations away from any snow
pack, especially in northwest Rhode Island.

Temperatures tomorrow will reach into the upper 50s to near 60
combined with gusty northwest wind near 25 to 30 MPH will help
drop minimum relative humidity levels between 25 to 35 percent.
These conditions will help elevated the fire weather potential.

Information and Photo Courtesy National Weather Service