The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Warning for Newport County and all of Rhode Island, in effect from 4 p.m. today through 7 a.m. Tuesday.
Total snow accumulations of 1 to 2 feet are expected, with winds gusting as high as 70 mph. Visibilities may drop below a quarter mile due to falling and blowing snow. Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning and evening commutes. The strong winds and weight of snow on tree limbs may down power lines and could cause sporadic power outages. Very strong winds could cause extensive tree damage.
The NWS says travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle.
City of Newport issues mandatory parking ban, urges residents to stay off roads
The City of Newport issued a mandatory parking ban beginning today, Sunday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. until further notice. The city is warning residents to prepare for 18 to 24 inches of heavy, wet snow, high winds, and potential coastal flooding.
All Newport residents are urged to remove their cars from city roadways and take advantage of free parking at the Gateway Center, Mary Street, and Touro Street parking lots. Residents are also encouraged to request the use of a neighbor’s driveway to secure off-street parking.
Vehicles parked on the following streets one-half hour after the parking ban begins will be subject to tow: Annandale Road, Bellevue Avenue (Kay Street to Bowery Street), Bedlow Avenue, Bliss Road, Broadway, Coggeshall Avenue, East Bowery Street, Farewell Street, Friendship Street, Gibbs Avenue, Gould Street, Kay Street, Powell Avenue, Spring Street, Summer Street, Thames Street, Third Street, Warner Street, Washington Street, Washington Square, West Marlboro Street, West Narragansett Avenue, William Street, and Van Zandt Avenue (from J.T. Connell Memorial Road East to Malbone Road).
No parking will also be enforced in the Yachting Village for Ann Street, Pope Street (Spring Street to East Street), Anthony Street, and Fountain Street, and in the Fifth Ward on Carroll Avenue (Morton Avenue to Ruggles), Old Fort Road, and Harrison Avenue (Carroll Avenue to Halidon Avenue).
Newport Public Schools and City Hall will be closed Monday. Trash collection has been delayed by at least one day.
This is expected to be a high-impact storm with the potential for street and bridge closures. Newport’s Public Services team and first responders will be working throughout the storm, and residents are asked to stay indoors until conditions improve.
Once the storm passes, residents and business owners are reminded to shovel any sidewalks adjacent to their property within five hours of the storm’s conclusion.
For more information on the City’s snow response, visit CityofNewport.com/Snow. To sign up for Emergency Alerts, visit CityofNewport.com/Alerts.
Emergency shelter
A regional emergency shelter will open at Gaudet Middle School in Middletown beginning at 4 p.m. today, Sunday, Feb. 22 for anyone in need. Further assistance is available by dialing 2-1-1.
Newport County parking bans
- Newport — Today (Sunday) 7 p.m. until further notice
- Jamestown — Today (Sunday) 6 p.m. through Tuesday 6 a.m.
- Middletown — Today (Sunday) 4 p.m. until further notice
- Portsmouth — Today (Sunday) 5 p.m. until further notice
- Tiverton — Today (Sunday) 4 p.m. until further notice
Newport County school closings for Monday
- Newport Public Schools — Closed Monday
- Middletown Public Schools — Closed Monday
- Portsmouth Public Schools — Distance Learning Day Monday
- Tiverton Public Schools — Closed Monday (no virtual instruction)
- Little Compton Public Schools — Distance Learning Day Monday
- All Saints Academy (Middletown) — Closed Monday
- Bradley School (Portsmouth) — Distance Learning Day Monday
- St. Michael’s Country Day School (Newport) — Closed Monday
- St. Philomena School (Portsmouth) — Closed Monday
- Salve Regina University (Newport) — Closed Monday
Other Newport County closings for Monday
- Newport City Hall — Closed Monday
- Newport trash collection — Delayed by at least one day
- Naval Station Newport — Closed Monday; mission essential personnel only
- Middletown Town Hall — Closed Monday
- Middletown Public Library — Closed Monday
- Middletown Senior Center — Closed Monday
- Newport Mental Health (Middletown) — Closed Monday
- James L. Maher Center (Middletown) — Closed Monday; residential report all shifts
- Portsmouth Free Library — Closed Monday
- Portsmouth Senior Center — Closed Monday; all activities canceled
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Newport — Closed Monday
- Head Start EBCAP (Newport) — All sites closed Monday
- Save the Bay Hamilton Family Aquarium (Newport) — Closed Monday
The forecast for Newport County
Today (Sunday): Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. East wind 6 to 14 mph.
Tonight: Snow, mainly after 10 p.m. The snow could be heavy at times. Areas of blowing snow after 11 p.m. Low around 30. Windy, with a northeast wind 18 to 23 mph increasing to 27 to 32 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 7 to 11 inches possible.
Monday: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Areas of blowing snow. High near 34. Windy, with a north wind 28 to 37 mph, with gusts as high as 60 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible.
Monday Night: Snow likely, mainly before 10 p.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 23. Blustery, with a northwest wind 14 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 31. West wind 11 to 13 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 18. West wind 6 to 10 mph.
A full list of statewide parking bans, school closings, and other closings and delays is available at ribroadcasters.com.
This is a developing story. What’sUpNewp will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Check back for updates throughout the day.
For the latest forecast, visit weather.gov/box.