Winter Storm Watch Begins Monday Night, Tuesday Morning Commute ‘Difficult to Impossible’

UPDATE 6:45 P.M.: Mayor Scott Avedisian, School Superintendent Phil Thornton, Fire Chief James McLaughlin and Police Chief Col. Stephen McCartney announce the following storm-related information:

·      All City Offices, as well as City Services will be closed on Tuesday, March 13, 2018.

·      All Warwick Public Schools classes and activities for Tuesday, March 13, 2018 have been canceled.

·      A parking ban will be in effect throughout the City beginning at 10:00 p.m. this evening. It will remain in effect until further notice. Cars left on the street will be towed at the owner’s expense.

·      The Warburton and Thayer Ice Arenas, as well as McDermott Pool will be closed on Tuesday.

·      The Pilgrim Senior Center will be closed on Tuesday. All meals and activities have been canceled. Transwick bus services have also been canceled.

·      The Warwick Public Library will also be closed.

·      All trash and recycling will be delayed for one day. No collections will be made on Tuesday.

·      All City Board Meetings have been canceled.

·      Finally, in anticipation of the potential for power outages during the upcoming storm, the Warwick Sewer Authority is reminding its customers with grinder pumps that, if power is lost, the pumps will have limited capacity and those customers should therefore limit water usage; without power, the grinder pumps will be unable to discharge into the main sewer line. The WSA suggests that grinder pump owners prepare for a power outage by running an inside faucet for about 10 minutes or until the pump starts up. This will evacuate any wastewater stored in the pump and maximize storage capacity. Continued reduced water usage will allow for use of the plumbing facilities for a longer period of time, hopefully until power can be restored.  If there is an extended power outage, WSA will issue additional information and guidance.

·      If you experience a power outage, please call National Grid (800-322-3223), the fire department (468-4000) or the police department (468-4200) to report the outage. City residents can also call 738-2001 for emergency services.

 

5: 30 a.m. :WARWICK, RI — The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch starting at 8 p.m. Monday night and remaining in effect through 8 p.m. Tuesday, warning heavy snow accumulations of 6-12 inches and conditions making travel “difficult to impossible” during the morning commute Tuesday, and a possibility of a foot to 19 inches of snow with wind gusts up to 45 mph.

The warning, heralding the third nor’easter for the area in as many weeks, is in effect for portions of northern Connecticut, western, central, eastern and southeastern Massachusetts, and all of Rhode Island. The weather service’s forecast calls for heavy snow, with total snow accumulations of  6 to 12 inches, with localized amounts up to 18 inches.

Damage to trees and power lines is possible, since snow will be accompanied with strong to damaging winds, especially over southeast Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Significant reductions in visibility are possible.

Snow is expected to being after 11 p.m. Monday, becoming heavy at times. Temperatures are expected to reach a low of 31, with a northeast wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. New snow accumulation of 4 to 6 inches are possible during this time.

Snow will continue Tuesday, mainly before 5 p.m., again becoming heavy at times. Temperatures will reach a high of 32 during this time. The day will also be  breezy, with a north wind at 18 to 22 mph, and gusts as high as 45 mph. New snow accumulation of 9 to 13 inches are possible during this time.