Rain on Thursday night is expected to change to snow overnight as an arctic cold front moves across the region. From 1 to 2 inches of snow are expected overnight and a flash freeze will likely affect the Friday morning commute, the National Weather Service says.
"An arctic cold front tonight into Friday morning should lead to another period or wintry precipitation, before wind chills fall to zero to 10 below Friday night," the Weather Service said in its forecast discussion.
Rain will change to snow between 3 and 5 a.m. in Rhode Island and eastern Massachusetts. The snow could be moderate to heavy in bursts, which could bring poor visibility. The Weather Service adds that it's possible we could get 3 to 4 inches of snow, if the cold air moves in sooner than expected.
"Temperatures will be falling into the 20s so a flash freeze will combine with accumulating snow to result in hazardous travel on roadways," the Weather Service said, and it's expected to affect the morning rush hour, with snow ending by 10 a.m. in Rhode Island and eastern Massachusetts.
A northwest wind of up to 15 mph, with gusts nearly 30 mph, will make it feel even colder.
Skies should clear by Friday night, but it will drop to 10 degrees, with wind chills making it feel like 0 degrees. Winds will be from 8 to 14 mph, gusting to almost 30 mph.
Saturday looks mostly sunny with a high near 27.
There’s a chance of snow showers overnight Sunday, and then any precipitation will change to rain as the temperature warms to 42 degrees.
“A storm system should bring rain to the coast and snow inland Sunday into Monday morning, but there is uncertainty as to how far inland the milder air will get,” the Weather Service says.
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