RI Winter Storm: What To Know About Delays, Closures

RHODE ISLAND — A winter storm is headed to Rhode Island to end the week, with snow expected to start overnight. Thursday evening, the National Weather Service upgraded the winter storm watch to a winter storm warning for much of the state, prompting delays and parking bans across the state.

Towns across Rhode Island issued parking bans ahead of the storm. A full list is available from the Rhode Island Broadcasters Association.

In anticipation of the winter weather, the Rhode Island Department of Health delayed the opening of all state-run COVID-19 test and vaccine sites until 10 a.m. Friday. The testing sites at Thundermist Health Center in Woonsocket and East Bay Health Care in East Providence, Newport, and Warren will be closed all day.

The National Weather Service said to "expect significant impacts to morning commute."

The latest snow accumulation map from the NWS predicts four to six inches of snow accumulation across most of the state, with less along the southern coast.

The snow is expected to start overnight, between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. It is expected to change over from all snow to wintry mix Friday morning, between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. in the southern half of the state, and between 9 a.m. and noon in the northern half of the state.

The winter storm warning will be in effect from late Thursday night until Friday evening, with a winter weather advisory for the bottom half of the state.