Southern shift in storm means 8 to 12 inches of snow for most of Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE – The storm that's dropped more than 10 inches of snow on parts of Rhode Island should wind down a little earlier than earlier forecast, the National Weather Service said in a special weather statement early this afternoon.

The storm should drop about another inch of snow before stopping in the Providence area between 3 and 4 p.m., the weather service said. The agency had previously forecast the snow to end between 4 and p.m.

"The heaviest snow will become focused near Cape Cod and the Islands this afternoon while the snow tapers off elsewhere from northwest to southeast," the weather service said in the 12:20 p.m. statement.

"Travel conditions will gradually improve through late afternoon in these areas," the statement said.

Reports to the weather service show Scituate had 10.5 inches as of 2:45 p.m., while North Foster had 10.3 inches as of 1:46 p.m. and Richmond had 9 inches a of 1 p.m. More than 6 inches had fallen at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport as of about 1 p.m.

With the storm moving west to east, some totals from Connecticut, which reported widespread totals of more than 11 inches, could show what's in store for Rhode Island when the storm wraps up.

The weather service has said most of Rhode Island getting 8 to 12 inches of snow. A southward shift in the storm track pushed heavier totals farther south. Lower amounts, 6 to 8 inches are expected in the northwestern part of the state, along the coast and East Bay, the weather service says.

The entire state is under a winter storm warning until 7 p.m.

As of about 3:45 p.m., a Rhode Island Energy map showed 106 power outages in Rhode Island affecting 3,012 customers.

Travel will be hazardous, and Governor Dan McKee has advised Rhode Islanders to stay off the roads. The forecast has led to widespread cancellations.

The snow is likely to fall at a rate of 1 to 2 inches an hour across Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts from mid-morning until mid-afternoon, the weather service says.

"This is a fast moving storm and the window for heavy snow is relatively brief but should be enough for snowfall of 6-10 inches in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts," the weather service said in its forecast discussion.

RI School cancellations: Here's what districts are closing or having virtual learning day

"Strong winds are expected on the back side of the departing low center, and this coupled with the heavy, wet snow may result in downed trees and power lines which will result in concerns for power outages, the weather service says.

"If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency," the weather service says.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI Weather: Snow starts, could leave up to a foot before its over