Snow forces afternoon cancellations

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- Hours before snow started to fall across Southern New England, area schools began to issue cancelations and early dismissals.

A winter weather advisory has been put into effect in Rhode Island from 1 p.m. Monday until midnight, with a mixture of snow, sleet, and rain expected to hit the area.

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Several schools canceled after-school activities, and others issued early dismissals ahead of the weather. For a full list of closings, cancelations and parking bans, visit our Pinpoint Closings Page.

Snow started falling in much of the area early afternoon.

And, with the heaviest snowfall expected around 5 p.m., the winter weather is expected to make a mess of the evening commute.

Drivers have been asked to use caution on the roads and leave plenty of time to get to their destinations.