A historic 37.9 inches of snow fell in Providence as of 1:31 a.m. Tuesday, as measured at T.F. Green Airport. The snowstorm is the largest recorded in state history, surpassing the long-standing record of 28.6 inches set by the Blizzard of ’78.
The one-day snowfall record of 19 inches set in 1996 was also surpassed by over a foot on Monday, with 35.5 inches of snow recorded by 7 p.m.
On Sunday, Gov. Dan McKee declared a state of emergency and issued a travel ban on all roads due to the severe weather conditions. The City of Providence also enacted a parking ban beginning on Sunday “to allow snowplows to clear roadways effectively,” according to an announcement from Mayor Brett Smiley’s office.
These measures are “critical for public safety” because “they allow emergency responders to reach those in need and ensure Department of Public Works crews can clear roads as quickly and safely as possible,” Kristy dosReis, Providence’s chief public information officer for public safety, wrote in an email to The Herald.
She strongly urged Providence residents to “stay indoors and avoid travel unless absolutely necessary,” and stressed the importance of dressing in layers when outside. She wrote that individuals should contact Rhode Island Energy when facing power outage concerns and noted that warming centers are available for those in need.
At a Monday press conference, McKee said he has met with Rhode Island’s municipal leaders and the congressional delegation as they continue forming plans for navigating the storm. He said his primary goal is to “keep people safe,” noting that he intends to keep roads clear and accessible for emergency response.
Over 50,000 Rhode Island residents have experienced power outages due to the blizzard, according to a Rhode Island Energy press release.
RIE — which provides power to 99% of the state — has the support of 400 crews and 1,400 personnel who have restored power to over 6,400 RIE customers as of Monday afternoon, according to the press release.
Associate Professor of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences Jung-Eun Lee explained that blizzards are caused by a combination of strong low-pressure systems — areas in the atmosphere where the air pressure is lower compared to other regions — and storms or extratropical cyclones.
Lee pointed to the “strong low-pressure system off (the) coast of Cape Cod” as a factor that can cause Rhode Island blizzards.
This year, North America has been experiencing “sudden stratospheric warming,” Lee said. This warm air, combined with cold air from the Arctic, causes strong and heavy winds, and can ultimately form something like the Blizzard of ’26, she added.
The snow has also led to school cancellations across Rhode Island.
Provost Francis Doyle sent announcements to the Brown community canceling in-person classes and closing administrative and academic offices for Monday and Tuesday.
Many school districts across the state announced closures for Monday. According to the Providence Public School District website, schools will be fully closed Monday and Tuesday, meaning “there will be no school and no virtual learning.”
The blizzard warning went into effect at 4 p.m. Sunday and will last through 7 a.m. Tuesday.
Kelly Ding is a senior staff writer for the community and culture beat. She is from College Station, TX and plans to concentrate in IAPA on the policy and governance track. In her free time, she loves to explore new coffee shops, curl up with a good book, and be a gym rat.
