How Much Snow Will We See This Winter In RI? See 4 Predictions

RHODE ISLAND — How cold and snowy will the upcoming winter be in Rhode Island?

While winter doesn't officially start until Dec. 21, meteorological winter begins this weekend —on Dec. 1.

Several forecasters have put forward their predictions for how snowy the season will be here in the Ocean State. Here's a look at what they're saying:

AccuWeather

AccuWeather predicts the Rhode Island winter will have some “meteorological twists and turns” that could bring bursts of heavy snow and blasts of bitterly cold air.

Temperatures are expected to be near normal for Rhode Island. Forecasts are for between 30 and 40 inches of snow — which is much higher than last year's total, but still below the historical average of 49.2 inches.

"Snow shovels will be needed across the Northeast and Midwest this winter, although they could gather dust during part of the season as the weather patterns play tug-of-war between mild and rainy, and cold and snowy," AccuWeather said.

February is the most probable month for the arrival of a polar vortex — a large area of cold, low-pressure air rotating counterclockwise around Earth’s poles that can expand in the winter and send cold air southward. However, there’s less certainty this year about when, or if, the freezing air will make it to the continental U.S.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Snowfall is expected to be slightly lower than normal in Rhode Island, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.

In the Atlantic Corridor Region, temperatures are predicted to be average to slightly warmer than average this winter, except for in February — when forecasters say to expect colder weather than normal.

"The region will also experience shots of cold in mid-December, early and late January, and late February," the publication added.

The Farmers' Almanac

The 208th edition of the Farmers' Almanac is predicting a "Wet Winter Whirlwind" for the 2024-2025 winter season. Its forecast calls for rapid-fire storms that will bring both rain and snow, with little downtime in between.

"We anticipate the winter of 2024-25 will be wet and cold for most locations," The Farmers' Almanac predicts.

The Farmers' Almanac says it is "red flagging" the final full week of January over most of the nation's eastern half. Expect a very active storm track with frequent bouts of heavy precipitation along with strong, gusty winds.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center

Warmer than normal temperatures are expected this winter in Rhode Island, according to a new winter 2024-25 outlook for December, January and February.

The probabilities for above normal precipitation are about equal in Rhode Island, according to the updated winter outlook released Thursday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center.

Specifically, the outlook puts the chance of above normal temperatures at between 50 percent and 60 percent, and the chance of above or normal precipitation is about equal.

In an earlier statement, NOAA said data supports the development of a weak La Niña that lacks some of the blustery punch traditionally seen in such climate patterns. However,a La Niña “could still influence forecast guidance,” NOAA said.

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