Delaware residents are in for a weekend of wild and unpredictable weather, as a powerful system moves through the region bringing snow, heavy rainfall, strong winds, and a dramatic temperature drop. With a mix of winter and spring-like conditions hitting within just 48 hours, meteorologists are urging everyone to stay alert and prepare for potentially hazardous conditions.
Saturday: Snow and Sleet Create Hazardous Travel Conditions
The weekend kicks off with snow and sleet developing across parts of the state Saturday afternoon.
- Northern Delaware, including Wilmington: Expect a mix of light snow and sleet, with an accumulation of 1 to 3 inches before transitioning into a wintry mix of freezing rain and rain by the evening.
- Central Delaware, including Dover: Cloudy conditions with light rain mixing with sleet, but little to no snow accumulation expected.
- Southern Delaware, including Rehoboth Beach: Mostly rain with occasional sleet, but no significant winter impacts.
Roads will become slick and icy, especially in the northern and central parts of the state. If you must travel, use extreme caution and allow extra time to reach your destination.
Sunday: Heavy Rain, Thunderstorms, and Possible Flooding
As the storm intensifies, temperatures will rapidly rise into the 50s and 60s on Sunday, melting any snow and turning it into runoff that could cause localized flooding.
- Heavy rain will move in early Sunday morning, dumping 1 to 2 inches of rainfall across the state.
- Thunderstorms are possible, especially in central and southern Delaware, where some storms could produce gusty winds over 40 mph.
- Flooding concerns will be highest in areas with poor drainage, as the rapid snowmelt combines with heavy rain.
Sunday Night Into Monday: A Dangerous Deep Freeze Arrives
Don’t be fooled by Sunday’s mild weather—a brutal Arctic front is set to crash into the region late Sunday night, causing temperatures to plummet by 30 degrees in just a few hours.
- By Monday morning, temperatures will be below freezing, meaning all the rain and melted snow will freeze solid, leading to dangerous black ice on roads and sidewalks.
- Wind chills will make it feel even colder, dropping into the teens and single digits across the state.
How to Stay Safe and Prepare
With three major weather threats happening in just one weekend, here’s how you can stay safe:
- Stay Off the Roads: Saturday’s snow and Sunday’s flooding will make travel dangerous. If you must drive, watch for icy patches and flooded roadways.
- Prepare for Power Outages: Strong winds and heavy rain could knock out power, so charge your devices and have flashlights ready.
- Watch for Black Ice: Monday morning’s freeze will turn wet roads into an ice rink—walk and drive cautiously.
- Check on Vulnerable Neighbors: Elderly residents and those without proper heating should have a plan to stay warm as temperatures plunge Monday morning.
Delaware’s wild weekend weather rollercoaster will bring snow, dangerous ice, heavy rain, flooding, and a brutal Arctic freeze—all in just 48 hours. With rapidly changing conditions, the key to staying safe is being prepared and staying informed. Don’t take this storm lightly—plan and stay safe!