Portsmouth Parking Ban Begins Saturday Morning

PORTSMOUTH, RI—A town-wide parking ban goes into effect at 10 a.m. Saturday as the first notable snowstorm of the season is expected to bring snow, wind and treacherous road surfaces.

The Portsmouth Police Department is expecting residents to abide by the ban until it expires Sunday at 2 p.m.

Keeping the roads clear of cars helps plow drivers ensure safe passage for people who absolutely must drive in the snow, especially firefighters and police officers who can’t afford to find themselves unable to navigate a neighborhood street.

“We appreciate your cooperation, and will work with the other town employees to clear the roadways and other traffic hazards as quickly as possible,” the police department pledged on their Facebook page.

Portsmouth is under a National Weather Service Winter Storm Warning and could see about 4 to 8 inches. Rhode Island is along the leading edge of the storm as it approaches from the south, which means a slight change in course can drastically alter snowfall totals. Communities along the south coast, especially Narragansett, will bear the brunt of the storm, and might get upwards of 10 inches. A lot can change in just a few miles.