WPRI image
WPRI forecasters say northwestern Rhode Island
could see up to 7 inches.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A coastal storm will move into the region Saturday, making the third weekend in a row that Southern New England will have been hit by a weekend storm.
Just how much snow the region will get is unclear, because forecasters are having trouble determining where and when the precipitation will fall as snow or rain.
"It's a complex storm," said Charlie Foley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Taunton, Mass. "The problem is in your area: where will the rain-snow line will fall. It all depends on the duration of the rain and when it transitions to snow."
WPRI says the storm is taking a "milder" track than the previous two weekend storms, "which would mean part of the storm will fall as rain, (especially south of Providence) and thus hold down accumulations, compared to areas to our north."
The storm should pack enough punch -- and wet snow -- to make driving hazardous in some areas and knock out power, according to the National Weather Service.
"A very tricky forecast later Saturday into Sunday for much of the region. Our confidence in heavy wet snow is highest near and north of the Massachusetts Turnpike and away from the immediate coast," The National Weather Service says.
The storm will start Saturday and continue into Sunday. Wet snow and sleet should develop by mid- to late afternoon Saturday before changing to rain south of Providence, according to WPRI.
It's likely to turn back to snow Sunday and the wind will pick up, gusting from the north up to 40 mph. Lingering snow showers will continue into the afternoon, WPRI says.
This post was updated at 6:18 p.m.
For more updates, see providencejournal.com/weather.