A winter storm warning is now in effect for Newport and much of southern New England, with heavy snow expected to begin this morning and continue through Monday evening.
The National Weather Service is forecasting 12 to 20 inches of snow for the region. The warning remains in effect until 8 p.m. Monday.
Snow will move in mainly after 11 a.m. and could be heavy at times, with 9 to 13 inches possible during the day. Tonight brings another 3 to 5 inches of snow and sleet before a transition to freezing rain and sleet around 11 p.m., then rain and sleet after midnight. Winds will be breezy, gusting up to 30 mph, with a low around 26.
Monday brings a chance of rain in the morning before a return to snow, with less than an inch of additional accumulation expected. Skies will gradually clear Monday night as temperatures drop to around 14, with wind chills as low as zero.
“Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous,” the weather service said. “Persons should consider delaying all travel.”
Newport’s mandatory parking ban takes effect at 9 a.m. and runs until 9 p.m. Monday. Free parking is available at the Gateway Center, Mary Street and Touro Street parking lots. 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.
Closings
Newport Public Schools, Middletown Public Schools and Portsmouth Public Schools will be closed Monday. The Met – East Bay will have a virtual learning day.
St. Michael’s Country Day School, St. George’s School and All Saints Academy are closed Monday.
Salve Regina University is closed Monday.
Naval Station Newport is open to mission essential personnel only.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Newport, the Newport Family and Child Opportunity Zone and Head Start EBCAP locations are closed Monday. Save the Bay’s Hamilton Family Aquarium is closed Sunday and Monday.
First Presbyterian Church of Newport and Community Baptist Church have cancelled in-person services and will livestream worship. Channing Memorial Church has cancelled Sunday services.
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 is available at CityofNewport.com/Snow.