Heavy Snow — Northwest Providence, Rhode Island

2020-10-30 · Northwest Providence, Rhode Island

Event narrative

Snowfall averaged about 5.5 inches across northwest Providence County. In Burrillville, an amateur radio operator reported 6.0 inches. A CoOp Observer in North Foster recorded 5.7 inches. In Cumberland, a trained spotter reported 5.5 inches. In Smithfield and North Smithfield, amounts ranged from 4.2 to 4.8 inches.

Wider weather episode

Immediately after winds and rainfall associated with post-tropical cyclone Zeta (which passed well to our southeast) diminished, a new system approached. This was a rapidly moving upper level low and its associated upper jet max, which moved northeastward from the Mississippi Valley and low pressure again passed to the south of New England. Cold air was streaming into the region from the north. The result was some heavy, wet snow across much of the region, with northern RI receiving 3 to 6 inches. The weight of the snow caused scattered tree and power line damage.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 920876. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.