Saturday, February 21, 2026
Rhode Island Energy (RIE) is prepared for a winter storm expected to impact the state Sunday evening through Monday, bringing gusty winds and heavy snowfall.
The primary concerns associated with this storm include potentially hazardous wind gusts of up to 60 mph along the coast and 55 mph inland, and snow accumulations between 6 and 20 inches. Wind gusts and heavy, wet snow can damage trees and knock down power lines, causing power outages in affected areas. In areas impacted by significant damage, customers should be prepared for potential extended outage durations. Inclement weather is forecasted through Monday, with calmer weather anticipated on Tuesday.
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The National Weather Service forecasts:
Sunday Night
Snow, mainly after 9 pm. Low around 27. Blustery, with a northeast wind 9 to 14 mph increasing to 17 to 22 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 38 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches is possible.
Monday
Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 33. Windy, with a north wind 24 to 29 mph, with gusts as high as 48 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 8 to 12 inches possible.
Monday Night
Snow likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Northwest wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch is possible.
“RIE has been tracking this storm for several days, and we have secured additional crews and personnel who stand ready to respond to any impacts the weather may bring,” said Kathy Castro, Vice President of Electric Operations at RIE. “In the event of outages, our crews and support teams will be working around the clock to restore service as quickly and safely as conditions allow.”
RIE has prepared for the storm by securing over 330 internal and external crews and additional personnel as part of the company’s emergency response operations and preparedness activities. This includes overhead and underground line workers for distribution and transmission restoration, tree-trimming crews, wires-down personnel, and substation workers. As forecasts evolve, the company will continue to assess resource needs and communicate with local officials, first responders, and life support customers.
Additionally, RIE understands that during this period of extreme cold and increased energy usage, affordability is top of mind. Customers are encouraged to explore RIEnergy.com/toolkit and take advantage of the various programs and services to help save energy, manage bills, and access financial assistance.
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