Heavy Snow in Rhode Island, January 7 to 8, 1996

An intense east coast low pressure system moved northeast from eastern Georgia, passing along the coast of the Carolinas and then close to 40 degrees North and 70 degrees West. This storm was one of the most significant winter storms to hit southern New England in the past 20 years and was named the "Blizzard of '96" from the Middle Atlantic states into New England, although no true blizzard conditions occurred (by National Weather Service definition) anywhere in the state. Very heavy snowfall of one to two feet fell across the entire state with the lesser amounts over Newport County in the south, while the National Weather Service at T.F. Green Airport in Warwick measured 24 inches. Just two days later, after some additional light snow, a new all-time snowfall record for Providence was set, not only for the month of January, but for any month, with a total of 33.2 inches. As of January 10th, this exceeded the previous record of 31.9 inches set in January, 1948. In Kent County, Coventry recorded 27 inches of snow, which appeared to be the maximum amount in the state. The heavy snowfall disrupted transportation systems, closed schools, stores, and businesses. Also, the heavy snow accumulation resulted in several roof collapses which damaged homes and businesses during the week following the storm.