A wind advisory is in effect for Newport County through Friday morning as the state activates emergency warming centers to help Rhode Islanders find shelter from dangerous conditions overnight.
The National Weather Service expects west winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph across the region. Thursday afternoon will be sunny with a high near 36 degrees, but winds gusting to 43 mph will make it feel much colder. Tonight will be mostly clear with a low around 25 degrees and gusts reaching 45 mph.
The Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing announced Thursday it is activating three emergency pop-up sites and urging residents in need to access warming resources, including the Newport Mental Health Overnight Warming Center at 1 Eisenhower St., open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
The advisory covers Newport, Bristol, Block Island and Washington counties in Rhode Island, as well as portions of central, eastern and southeastern Massachusetts.
Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects and bring down tree limbs, potentially causing power outages, the weather service warned. Motorists should use extra caution, as high winds can make driving difficult, particularly for high-profile vehicles.
Two emergency pop-up sites operated by the Council of Churches will open in Providence at Matthewson Street Church, 134 Matthewson St., and Community Church of Providence, 372 Wayland Ave., both from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. A third site at the West Warwick Civic Center, 100 Factory St., will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m.
Additional seasonal emergency shelters and warming centers are operating statewide in Woonsocket, Providence, Westerly and Peace Dale. A comprehensive list is available at housing.ri.gov/resources/individuals-experiencing-homelessness.
Winds will subside Friday, with gusts dropping to 38 mph during the day and 23 mph Friday night. The weekend brings a chance of snow Saturday night into Sunday, with accumulations of less than half an inch possible.
Newport Mental Health provided the following additional details on Friday.
Overnight Warming Center Now Open in Newport
Middletown, RI (Dec. 12, 2025) — Newport Mental Health, in partnership with CODAC Behavioral Healthcare, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, and the City of Newport, is pleased to announce that the Overnight Warming Center is now open every night from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
The warming center provides a safe, warm place for residents who lack sufficient housing. All at-risk individuals are strongly encouraged to seek shelter during cold nights to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
Transportation to the Warming Center
To access the center, individuals meet the Rhode Island Outreach (RIO) van at 6:45 PM in front of the bus shelter at Newport City Hall, located at 43 Broadway in Newport. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
If a ride is needed, individuals in Newport County may call RIO at (401) 846-1213 ext. 9106.
The warming center is operated by community organizations that specialize in both emergency care and ongoing support to meet needs of vulnerable residents. It will remain open throughout the winter months.
“Our goal is to ensure that every person facing dangerous temperatures has a safe place to go,” says Partaja Spann, Director of Rhode Island Outreach at Newport Mental Health. “Working together with community partners, we’re able to not only offer warmth and shelter, but also connect people to support that can help them move toward stability.”
How to Access the Overnight Warming Center
Open nightly: 7:00 PM – 7:00 AM
Transportation pick-up: Meet the RIO van at 6:45 PM in front of the bus shelter at Newport City Hall, 43 Broadway
Questions: Call the RIO team at Newport Mental Health (401) 846-1213 ext. 9106
Availability: First come, first served – space is limited
Newport Mental Health is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) providing mental health and substance use treatment in Newport County, and a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit. Programs and services are offered for children and adults; immediate access to care is available by calling 401-846-1213. More info and donations accepted at newportmentalhealth.org
