Snow Totals Raised In Rhode Island Ahead Of Coastal Storm

RHODE ISLAND — The National Weather Service upped expected snow totals across the region ahead of a coastal storm that's set to hit southern New England Saturday. While Rhode Island wasn't initially expected to see any real accumulation, northern parts of the state could find themselves surrounded by up to 3 inches of snow.

Massachusetts will take the brunt of the storm, with some areas seeing as much as half a foot of snow. Most Rhode Islanders should expect to see 1-2 inches, with totals increasing as you head north and decreasing to a coating towards the southern coast.

For the second time in less than a week, high winds will be a major concern, with gusts reaching 45-50 mph. Combined with icy conditions and wet, heavy snow, this could mean hazardous conditions and power outages.

Here's a look at the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.

Friday Afternoon
A chance of rain after 4 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Southwest wind around 13 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday Night
Rain. Low around 42. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday
Rain before 5 p.m., then rain, possibly mixed with snow. The rain could be heavy at times. Temperature falling to around 34 by 5 p.m. Breezy, with a north wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 19 to 24 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Saturday Night
Snow likely, mainly before 9 p.m. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 28. Blustery, with a northwest wind 16 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 40. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 26. West wind 5 to 8 mph.

Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 39. Northwest wind around 7 mph.

Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. North wind 6 to 9 mph.

Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 37. North wind 9 to 11 mph.

Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 25. Northwest wind around 7 mph.