As a severe snowstorm is expected to hit southeastern New England starting Sunday, February 22, Governor Dan McKee has declared a state of emergency in Rhode Island and issued a travel ban, making travel conditions “dangerous and impossible.”
The travel ban for commercial vehicle traffic will begin at 5 p.m. and the travel ban for all vehicle traffic will begin at 7 p.m. The state of emergency will remain in effect until further notice.
“Once the snow starts falling, our plows need to be able to operate safely,” McKee said. “Let’s make sure we respect their space to clear the roads, and so do our first responders. Don’t drive while the travel ban is in effect.”
The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for Rhode Island beginning at 4 p.m. Sunday, February 22, with 18 to 30 inches of heavy, wet snow possible across much of the state. Snowfall rates can reach up to 4 inches per hour at times.
Governor Dan McKee discusses Rhode Island’s preparedness ahead of the February 22 winter storm.
Who can drive during the travel ban?
During the travel ban, only emergency vehicles and plows are allowed on the roads.
RI bridge closed to traffic
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority announced that the Jamestown-Verrazano Bridge, Mount Hope Bridge, Newport Pell Bridge and Saconnet River Bridge will be closed to commercial traffic at 5 p.m. Sunday and to all traffic at 7 p.m.
Due to inclement weather, the RITBA Customer Service Center will be closed on Monday, February 23, 2026. Online services will be available at www.ezpassritba.com.
For more information, follow RITBA on X at @RIEZPASS (https://twitter.com/riezpass). You can also find us on Facebook (www.facebook.com) by searching for “Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority.”
Bus, airport travel suspended
RIPTA has announced that it will suspend all service, including the RIde paratransit system, starting at 9 p.m. Sunday, February 22, and continuing through Monday, February 23, due to an expected snowstorm. Service will resume as soon as weather and road conditions permit, the agency said in a news release.
TF Green International Airport announced on the morning of Sunday, February 22, that airlines have canceled most flights scheduled to arrive after 6:30 pm, as well as many departure and arrival flights on Monday, February 23.
This article originally appeared in the Providence Journal: Rhode Island weather: What to know about travel bans announced ahead of snowstorm