Winter Storm To Hit Smithfield At 9 a.m.

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Todd Manni, the city's EMA director, reports the approaching winter storm is expected to arrive in the Smithfield area about 9 a.m. today and last through Saturday.

A blizzard warning from the National Weather Service is in effect for the area, upgraded from a warning last night. Accumulation of about 1-2 inches is expected by noontime. Snowfall will intensify to 1-2 inches per hour from 2 until 5 p.m. The heaviest snow fall will occur from 5 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Saturday.

On Saturday, 2-3 inches per hour is expected, and snow fall will continue until 12 p.m. Saturday.

Total accumulations are expected to range from 18”-24”. Blizzard conditions are expected during the heaviest snow fall, due to winds that will range from 25-35 mph with gusts expected to reach 40-50 mph.