Newport County residents are waking up to more than a foot of snow Monday morning, with more on the way as the region continues to dig out from a major winter storm.
A trained spotter in Little Compton reported 14.5 inches of snow as of 10:40 p.m. Sunday, while Portsmouth recorded 11 inches, according to the National Weather Service. Across Rhode Island, Warren topped the snowfall reports with 17.5 inches, followed by Providence with 16.7 inches and Coventry with 16 inches.
The winter storm warning remains in effect until 8 p.m. Monday. A slight chance of snow and sleet is expected before 8 a.m., then snow is likely through the day with little additional accumulation. Tonight brings a chance of snow before 9 p.m. with less than an inch possible before skies gradually clear.
“Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous,” the weather service said. “Persons should consider delaying all travel.”
As of 5 a.m. on Monday, Rhode Island Energy reports zero power outages across the state.
Temperatures will drop tonight to around 13 with wind chills as low as zero and gusts up to 29 mph. A cold stretch follows, with highs in the low-to-mid 20s and overnight lows in the single digits through the week.
RIPTA detours
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority announced that 14 routes are on detour Monday due to winter weather conditions. Riders may expect delays on all routes and are advised to use extreme caution at bus stops due to decreased visibility and slippery conditions.
Routes affecting Newport County include:
- Route 60 (Providence/Newport): Service to Bay View Apartments suspended.
- Route 64 (Newport/URI Kingston): Service to the Park & Ride lot at Routes 1A and 138 suspended. Service to CCRI and URI Bay Campus suspended.
All Park & Ride service on Routes 9x, 10x, 12x, 14, 24L, 59x, 61x, 65x and 95x has been cancelled Monday.
Passengers should check RIPTA.com/alerts for updates.
Parking bans
Parking bans remain in effect across the county. Newport’s ban runs until 9 p.m. Monday. Middletown, Portsmouth and Tiverton parking bans remain in effect until further notice, while Jamestown’s ban continues through 6 p.m. Monday.
Schools
All Newport County public schools are closed Monday: Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth, Jamestown, Little Compton and Tiverton. The Met – East Bay will have a virtual learning day. Tiverton Public Schools will hold a virtual instructional day.
Salve Regina University is closed Monday.
Private and Catholic schools closed Monday include St. Michael’s Country Day School and St. George’s School in Middletown, Portsmouth Abbey School, Pennfield School, All Saints Academy and St. Philomena School.
Child care
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Newport, Head Start EBCAP locations, Newport Family and Child Opportunity Zone, Island Child Care Center in Portsmouth, Bloom and KinderArt Preschool in Middletown, Sandpiper Early Learning Center and Sakonnet Early Learning Center in Tiverton are all closed Monday.
Government and libraries
Middletown Town Hall, Middletown Senior Center and Middletown Public Library are closed Monday.
Naval Station Newport is open to mission essential personnel only.
The Rhode Island Judiciary is closed statewide Monday.
Jamestown Philomenian Library, Brownell Library in Little Compton, Portsmouth Free Library and Tiverton Library are closed Monday.
Portsmouth Senior Center, Edward King House Senior Center in Newport and Little Compton Community Center are closed Monday.
Other closings
Save the Bay’s Hamilton Family Aquarium, Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center and Child and Family Services of Newport County are closed Monday.
BankNewport branches are closed Monday.
Roger Williams Park Zoo remains closed Monday.
A full list of closings and parking bans is available at ribroadcasters.com/news_and_events/closings_delays.
After the storm
Residents and business owners are reminded to clear sidewalks adjacent to their property within four hours of the storm’s conclusion.
Additional information about Newport’s snow preparations is available at CityofNewport.com/Snow.
