'Flash Freeze' May Hit Rhode Island With Some Snow: Weather Advisory

RHODE ISLAND — Hazardous travel conditions may persist through Thursday and into early Friday in northern Rhode Island, as a drop in temperatures runs into continuing precipitation.

Providence, Kent and Bristol counties are under a winter weather advisory until 4 a.m. Friday, with up to an inch of snow accumulation possible during that time, according to the National Weather Service.

But a rapid drop in temperatures beginning around noon Thursday may cause a "flash freeze" of snow and sleet that's already fallen across the state.

"Cold air over VT & NH drains southward today, temps fall below freezing in northern portions of MA, CT & RI. This will result in a flash freeze, with any standing water or slush, freezing later this morning into the afternoon & evening. Icy spots will develop," the National Weather Service said in a tweet Thursday morning.

Temperatures could drop by about 10 degrees in Providence, Coventry, Bristol and other northern Rhode Island communities around noontime, according to forecasts. Within about an hour, the temperature could go from 43 in Providence to 28. By the Thursday rush hour, temperatures will be in the 20s across the region.

Up to 2/10 of an inch of ice may accumulate Thursday night, according to the weather service.

Friday will be mostly dry, but temperatures will be very cold, falling into the low teens across the state by sunset, according to the weather service.