Heavy Snow and Strong Wind in Rhode Island, April 1, 1997

A low pressure system which formed off the New Jersey coast during the early morning hours of March 31st intensified rapidly as it moved to a position 60 miles south of Newport, Rhode Island. This system retreated to the south during the early morning hours of April 1st, pulling in cold air from the north. The center then moved slowly eastward. Heavy snow and strong winds produced blizzard and near-blizzard conditions across most of Rhode Island during the early morning hours on April 1st. Snowfall accumulations set all-time records for April across most of the state, with amounts ranging from around 4 inches along the south coast to nearly 30 inches along the Massachusetts border in the extreme northern portion of the state. Some totals included: Burrillville, 30.5 inches; West Cranston, Cumberland, and North Foster, 24 inches; downtown Providence, 19.5 inches; and Warwick, 18 inches, a new all-time record for the month of April. The heavy, wet snow made snow removal extremely difficult and highway travel was just about impossible during the height of the storm. Over a thousand tree limbs and some trees were reported down in Providence and some streets were initially left unplowed due to fallen tree limbs and wires. Schools were closed for two days. Up to 55,000 electric customers were without power at the height of the storm early on April 1st. Most of the estimated dollar damage was due to snow removal and power restoration.