Wintry Weather Causes Slippery Roads, Delayed Flights In RI

The first snowflakes of the season fell in Rhode Island on Tuesday, and while there was little to no actual accumulation, it still made for a messy evening commute across the state.

As temperatures plummeted, afternoon rain changed over to light snowfall and wet streets began to freeze over, causing headaches for commuters.

At T.F. Green, several flights both into an out of the airport were canceled or delayed throughout the late afternoon and evening hours. Check the status of arrivals or departures on the airport's website.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation reported crashes and disabled vehicles, most in Providence and the northern part of the state.

The bitterly cold weather is expected to stick around for the next few days, with temperatures expected to top out in the low 30s on Wednesday. Warming centers are available for those who need them across the state. A full list of nearby centers is available on the Emergency Management Agency's website.

Following this first taste of winter weather, the state's Emergency Management Agency is encouraging Rhode Islanders to plan ahead.

"Winter is just around the corner, and as every Rhode Islander knows all-too-well, that means severe weather and heavy snow are on the horizon," Governor Gina Raimondo said. "It's never too early to start preparing. From gathering supplies to insulating our homes, there are steps Rhode Islanders can take now to ensure our families stay safe and warm during this unpredictable season. Practical planning supports effective preparedness. And always remember to check in on your friends and neighbors to make sure they're properly prepared."

Rhode Islanders are encouraged to make sure their homes are properly insulated, weather-stripping around doors and windows and insulating pipes to prevent freezing.

"Rhode Island often experiences snow and winter weather in late November and early December," RIEMA Director Marc Pappas said. "Even though NOAA forecasters are predicting above average temperatures for Rhode Island in their U.S. Winter Outlooks this year, snow storms are still very likely to happen. We encourage families and businesses to prepare now, before a storm strikes."

State Police Colonel James Manni reminded drivers to leave extra travel time and be extra careful when driving on icy or snowy roads, including following these safety tips:

• Turn on headlights. If your wipers are on, your headlights must also be on.
• Always wear a seatbelt
• Slow down and leave extra distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you
• If your vehicle goes off the road, call 911 and stay with it until help arrives.

Rhode Islanders are also reminded to remove all snow from their vehicles before driving, as failing to do so violates state law and carries an $85 fine.

"The safety of the traveling public is our highest priority at RIDOT, and we work throughout the year to improve our winter storm response," Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti, Jr. said. "We ask motorists to do their part by reducing speed, not passing or crowding plows and avoiding distraction."