Updated Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at 8:10 a.m.
The city has issued a mandatory parking ban ahead of a winter storm expected to dump 13 to 19 inches of snow on the region beginning Sunday.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for much of southern New England, including Newport, from 7 a.m. Sunday to 8 p.m. Monday. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.
Snow is expected throughout the day Sunday and could be heavy at times, with 5 to 9 inches possible along with areas of fog. Sunday night brings another 3 to 7 inches of snow and sleet, with areas of blowing snow and gusts reaching 36 mph. The storm winds down Monday with an additional 1 to 2 inches before tapering off overnight.
“Travel could be very difficult to impossible,” the weather service said. “The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning and evening commutes.”
Newport’s parking ban takes effect at 9 a.m. Sunday and runs until 9 p.m. Monday. Residents are urged to take advantage of free parking at the Gateway Center, Mary Street and Touro Street parking lots during the storm. The city is also encouraging residents to arrange use of a neighbor’s driveway to keep vehicles off roadways.
Vehicles parked on designated streets 30 minutes after the ban begins may be towed. A full list of affected streets is available on the city’s interactive map at buff.ly/3mrOknM.
A cold weather advisory remains in effect until 10 a.m. Saturday, with wind chills as low as 20 below zero that could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. Saturday will be sunny but frigid, with a high near 16 and wind chills as low as 9 below zero.
School closings and delays
Newport Public Schools will be closed Monday, along with schools in Middletown, Portsmouth, Little Compton, Tiverton, Barrington, Coventry, Cranston, Cumberland, Pawtucket and Warwick. Bristol-Warren, Johnston and West Warwick public schools will have virtual learning days.
St. Michael’s Country Day School in Newport is closed Monday, as is All Saints Academy in Middletown.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Newport and the Newport Family and Child Opportunity Zone will be closed Monday.
Parking bans have also been issued in Middletown starting at 6 a.m. Sunday and in Portsmouth starting at 9 a.m. Sunday, both until further notice.
Other closings
Roger Williams Park Zoo will be closed Sunday and Monday, and Save the Bay’s Hamilton Family Aquarium in Newport will be closed Monday. The Rhode Island Department of Corrections has cancelled all visits through Monday.
Community Baptist Church and First Presbyterian Church of Newport have cancelled in-person services Sunday and will livestream worship instead.
A full list of closings and parking bans is available at ribroadcasters.com/news_and_events/closings_delays.
After the storm
Once the storm passes, residents and business owners are required to clear sidewalks adjacent to their property within four hours of the storm’s conclusion.
Additional information about the city’s snow preparations is available at CityofNewport.com/Snow.
