Historic blizzard sets new snowfall record in Rhode Island

Rhode Island was buried by a blizzard on Monday that could rank among the most intense snowstorms in state history.

As snow continues to stack up across the state, some communities have pushed past 30 inches, putting this storm into the conversation for top-tier snowfall totals and even within striking distance of Rhode Island’s most famous benchmark blizzard.

Important caveat: Final “official” storm totals won’t be set until the National Weather Service and other official observers compile end-of-storm measurements. But the early numbers are astonishing.

As of 1 p.m. Monday, yes!

One of the most-cited Rhode Island benchmarks comes from the Blizzard of ’78. According to the National Weather Service, Providence recorded 27.6 inches during that storm and broke a 24-hour city snowfall record of 27.3 inches, which is near the statewide record of 30 inches in 24 hours, set by Woonsocket.

As of 1 p.m., the snowfall total at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport was 32.8 inches, breaking the record for the greatest single snowstorm on record.

To understand where this blizzard might land, here are some of the largest snowstorms on record in Rhode Island history:

1. The Blizzard of 1978 | Feb. 6–7, 1978Up to 27 inches, as measured by the NWS, in parts of the stateParalyzing coastal flooding, extended road closures, and days-long shutdowns.
2. The Great Blizzard of 1888 | March 11–14, 1888Roughly 20–30 inches statewideA historic Northeast storm crippled infrastructure.
3. February 2013 Nor’easter (Winter Storm Nemo) | Feb. 8–9, 2013More than 20 inches in many communities.
4. January 2015 Blizzard | Jan. 26–27, 2015 More than 20 inches in parts of Rhode Island.

As official measurements are finalized, we’ll have a clearer answer on where this storm lands in the rankings.

For now, one thing is certain: this is the most intense blizzard Rhode Island has experienced in years.

We’ll update this story as confirmed totals come in.

The National Weather Service’s Boston/Norton office released an updated Public Information Statement with snowfall totals for southern New England as of 2:33 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. Here are the Rhode Island reports included in that update.

• Washington County

  • North Kingstown (trained spotter): 35.0"
  • South Kingstown: 30.0"
  • Narragansett: 29.0"

• Providence County

  • Glocester: 32.1"
  • Central Falls: 31.3"
  • Providence: 30.0"
  • Scituate: 25.5"
  • North Providence: 24.0"
  • East Providence: 26.0"
  • Pawtucket: 21.0"
  • Smithfield: 19.0"

• Kent County

  • T.F. Green Airport (official NWS observation): 32.8"
  • West Warwick: 30.0"
  • Coventry: 29.5"

• Bristol County

  • Warren: 30.0"

• Newport County

  • Portsmouth: 24.0"
  • Newport Airport: 22.0"
  • Jamestown: 21.0"