A storm system produced heavy snow, strong to damaging winds, and minor coastal flooding in southern New England.  This was a tough storm to forecast.  Although it was not deep low pressure and although it passed just south of the 40N/70W benchmark, its precipitation shield was expansive because of a broad 700 mb low over southeast New England, abundant moisture, and a very cold air mass in place.  By far, the heaviest snow fell to the north (Laconia, NH) and west (Binghamton, NY), where more than 3 feet fell.  But amounts ranged from 10 to 20 inches across much of southern New England.  There was some minor coastal flooding at the time of high tide and also a flash freeze in eastern Massachusetts as the storm pulled away to the northeast.

Heavy Snow in NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND
From 16-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall generally ranged from 6 to 14.3 inches. Some specific amounts included 14.3 in Tiverton, 8.0 inches in Little Compton, 7.0 inches in Middletown, and 6.5 inches in Portsmouth. Wind were gusting to 40 to 45 mph. The ASOS at Newport Airport (KUUU) reported a gust to 43 mph at 3:53 PM EST.

Heavy Snow in BRISTOL, RHODE ISLAND
From 16-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snow ranged from 5.7 inches in Bristol to 7.8 inches in Barrington. Winds were generally gusting to 40 to 45 mph.

Heavy Snow in WESTERN KENT, RHODE ISLAND
From 16-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall ranged from 8.5 inches in West Warwick to 12 inches in Coventry. Winds were gusting to 40 to 45 mph.

Heavy Snow in NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
From 16-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall generally ranged from 8.4 to 14 inches. Some specific amounts included a public report of 14 inches in Glocester, a CoCoRaHS report of 13.0 inches in Burrillville, 11.1 inches in North Smithfield, and 9.6 inches in Woonsocket. Winds gusted to 40 to 45 mph.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
From 16-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall generally ranged from 6 to 12 inches. Some specific amounts included 12.0 inches in Cranston, 9.5 inches in Pawtucket, and 8.3 inches in Providence. Winds gusted to 40 to 45 mph.

Heavy Snow in WASHINGTON, RHODE ISLAND
From 16-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snow ranged from 5 to 10 inches in the eastern part of Washington County to 8 to 12 inches in the western part. Some of the higher totals included 11.9 inches in Charlestown, 11.5 in Richmond, 10 inches in Narragansett, 9.2 inches in North Kingstown. Winds gusted generally to 45 to 50 mph. The AWOS at the Quonset Airport (KOQU) recorded a gust to 49 mph at 1:50 PM EST on the 17th.

Heavy Snow in EASTERN KENT, RHODE ISLAND
From 16-DEC-20 22:00:00 to 17-DEC-20 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall ranged from 7.5 to 11.9 inches in eastern Kent County. Some specific totals included 11.9 inches in West Warwick, 8.5 inches in East Greenwich. At T.F Green Airport in Warwick (KPVD) 7.9 inches of snow was measured and a wind gust to 44 mph was recorded on the ASOS at 12:51 PM EST on the 17th.