RI Weather Forecast: Tuesday March 14

NEWPORT, RI —At 7:19 a.m. Tuesday, the National Weather Service updated its predictions for Winter Storm Stella. The northwest corner of Rhode Island could still see 7 to 11 inches. But the new forecast says snow accumulations from 3 to 4 inches for Block Island; 4 to 6 inches for Narragansett, South Kingstown and Newport and 6 to 8 inches for much of the rest of Rhode Island. Also at the coast, the storm will go over to rain around noon.

Smithfield and Woonsocket remain under a blizzard warning. The prediction there calls for "heavy snow with blizzard conditions.

Smithfield and Woonsocket

"Snow accumulation of 8 to 12 inches, with higher totals up to 18 inches possible in the Northwest corner of the state. Snow will overspread the region through 7 a.m. this morning. The snow will quickly become heavy by late morning with 2 to 4 inch per hour snowfall rates possible at times into the afternoon. The snow may end as a bit of sleet or freezing rain across portions of northern CT into central MA and northeast MA. The snow will taper off early this evening, but lingering snow showers will remain possible especially across far western MA.

Driving will be treacherous

"The heavy snow and strong winds will result in blizzard conditions and near zero visibility at times. Many roads will become impassable and strong winds may result in some tree damage and scattered power outages...especially across northeast MA. Travel is not recommended."

Cranston

"Snow before noon, then snow and sleet between noon and 2 p.m, then rain after 2. The snow and sleet could be heavy at times. High near 37. Breezy, with a northeast wind 11 to 16 mph increasing to 19 to 24 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 44 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow and sleet accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.

Tonight, expect rain and snow showers before 11 p.m., then a slight chance of snow showers between 11 and 1 a.m.. Low around 22. North wind 13 to 18 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Coventry

Snow and sleet before 2 p.m., then freezing rain between 2 and 3, then rain after 3 p.m. The snow and sleet could be heavy at times. High near 33. Windy, with a northeast wind 14 to 19 mph increasing to 21 to 26 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 46 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow and sleet accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.

Tonight, look for rain, snow showers, and sleet before 10, then a chance of snow showers between 10 and 2 a.m. Low around 20. Blustery, with a north wind 14 to 22 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

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