Providence, Rhode Island

... Winter Storm Warning remains in effect from 8 am Wednesday to
1 am EST Thursday...

A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect from 8 am Wednesday to
1 am EST Thursday.

This Winter Storm Warning includes northern Connecticut... Rhode
Island and south of Interstate 90 in Massachusetts. This includes
the cities of Hartford... Springfield... Worcester... Boston...
Providence... Taunton... Brockton... Plymouth... Fall River and New
Bedford.

Snow is expected to develop between 7 am and 10 am from Hartford
to Springfield to Providence Rhode Island. For the remainder of
the region including the greater Boston area... snow will
overspread the region between 10 am and 1 PM. Snow will become
heavy at times across the warning area Wednesday afternoon and
continue into the evening. Snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per
hour are possible during this time... especially across the South
Coast. This will result in hazardous travel Wednesday afternoon
and evening... especially during the late day commute.

As for snowfall totals... snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches are
likely across southern portions of the warning area... with 4 to 8
inches likely as one nears the Mass Pike and Boston.

There is still some uncertainty in how far north the real heavy
snow band will progress during the day on Wednesday. It is
possible that it does not make it as far north as the Mass Pike...
which would mean lesser snow amounts from Springfield eastward to
Worcester to Boston. We will know much more about this potential
by 4 am Wednesday.

For Cape Cod and the islands... snow amounts of 4 to 7 inches are
likely across Cape Cod and the islands where some sleet and rain
will mix in for a time... resulting in less snow across this area.

Northeast wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph will affect Cape Cod and the
islands Wednesday afternoon and night. This will result in poor
visibilities and some blowing and drifting snow. This may result
in near blizzard conditions for a time across Rhode Island and
southeast Massachusetts. The snow will be wet across the coast
and bring the potential for down tree limbs resulting in
scattered power outages. These strong winds may also impact
eastern Massachusetts from Plymouth County northward to Cape Ann.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Winter Storm Warning is issued when an average of 6 or more
inches of snow is expected in a 12 hour period... or for 8 or more
inches in a 24 hour period. Travel will be slow at best on well
treated surfaces... and quite difficult on any unplowed or
untreated surfaces.