Rhode Island Forecast: Snow Ushers in Spring, but How Much?

RHODE ISLAND—As much as everyone wants to pretend it's not happening, snow is on the way this weekend.

How much snow will Rhode Island get? It's still not clear, but forecast models show anywhere from an inch or two to a nearly half-foot of snow falling on the area between Sunday and Monday.

The snowfall comes just as the calendar reaches spring and after several weeks of mild weather and one of the warmest February months on record.

A hazardous weather outlook issued by the National Weather Service says it all: "A significant winter storm remains likely for a portion of southern New England Sunday afternoon into Monday morning however it remains uncertain if the better potential for a significant snowfall will setup across interior Southern New England or across eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island."

Any forecaster making a specific snowfall total projection is taking a big risk as the storm could veer east or west by the time it arrives. Any change could change snowfall amounts in a big way, much as many of the storms Rhode Island experienced this winter.

Along with the snow will come cold. The low temperature Sunday and Monday night will be in the mid 20s.

The weather will lurch back into more seasonable conditions come midweek when temperatures should crest back into the 50s and might even push 60 degrees by Friday.

No matter how much snow falls, state and local crews are ready. Most towns are under their annual snowfall budget caps since there weren't many major storms this winter.

At the state level, Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti said that the state has more than enough salt and sand and crews are ready to go.

"They're ready and rested," he said.