RI braces for winter storm wallop

PROVIEDNCE, (RI) - Winter is expected to wallop the Ocean State this weekend, with a blizzard warning in effect in southern Rhode Island and a winter storm warning in effect elsewhere.

The snow is expected to start late afternoon Saturday, with the most intense snowfall overnight. In the Newport area, the National Weather Service is predicting up to 16 inches of snow and a north wind between 18 and 24 miles per hour, with gusts as high as 55 miles per hour.

Near Providence, accumulations could be as high as 17 inches before the snow ends Sunday evening. The winds aren’t expected to be as strong in northern Rhode Island as the southern coast, though forecasters say gusts could reach 50 miles per hour Saturday night.