Weather Alert: Snow Squalls Cause Near-Whiteout Conditions

A snow squall warning is in effect across Rhode Island Wednesday evening, causing near whiteout conditions in some areas. The squalls are not expected to hang around for long and there should be little accumulation on the ground.

Drivers are encouraged to delay travel until the brief storm passes. Fast-falling snow can lead to a near complete lack of visibility on roads, the National Weather Service said.

"Scattered snow squalls are possible this afternoon and evening which could briefly drop visibility to near zero with heavy snow and gusty winds," the National Weather Service said Wednesday. Less than half an inch of accumulation is expected, however.

Once the squalls have passed, Rhode Island is in for several days of bitter cold, with wind chills as lower a four degrees below zero on Thursday. The cold snap is expected to last until the weekend, when temperatures will finally rise above the freezing mark.