Snow Forecast For Saturday; Road Crews Gear Up

Highway Superintendent Rick Lambert reports his department is ready for the snow forecast for early Saturday - light trucks have plows attached and there's sand loaded in the larger trucks.

"It doesn't seem to be shaping up into too bad of a storm," Lambert said. The National Weather Service announced snowfall will begin overnight and continue into Saturday. Accumulations of 3 to 5 inches and wind gusts of up to 21 mph are also possible. [To see weather conditions in Woonsocket, check out the Woonsocket Patch Weatherbug page.]

The timing on this storm is convenient, Lambert said, since it will allow a good night's sleep for his crew before he has to call on them. That way, "They come in nice and fresh," Lambert said. Should the snow start up earlier than expected overnight, the police department will give him a call so they can get to work as soon as possible.

For those traveling beyond city borders, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation announced that it plans to apply a brine solution to Interstate 95 from Exit 7 in West Greenwich to Exit 20 in Providence to keep snow from accumulating on the roadway.

“We think this new technology will keep roads clearer longer, but motorists should not expect snow-free surfaces at all times, as all storms vary in intensity,”  RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said in a statement. “We still urge motorists to exercise caution by reducing their speed and avoiding unnecessary travel during snowstorms."

Tomorrow's expected storm will mark the first snowfall since Jan. 20.