A “bomb cyclone” – or winter hurricane – that’s expected to bring rain, snow, wind and severe storms to much of the eastern U.S. Friday into Saturday will result in mostly rain for Delaware.
According to a Friday morning weather briefing published by the National Weather Service, the precipitation will begin as rain mid-to-late Friday night into Saturday morning.
Then, it will gradually shift to snow Saturday afternoon, though any significant accumulations are expected northwest of the I-95 corridor and in the Pocono Mountains.
New Castle County will likely see less than an inch of snow, while Kent and Sussex may not record any snow at all, according to the most recent weather update. Prior forecasts had predicted minimal snow – less than 1 inch – for lower Delaware.
Though the snow will likely not have much of an impact on Delaware, the National Weather Service said a “flash freeze” of untreated sidewalks and roads may occur as temperatures drop rapidly Saturday afternoon and evening.
High winds are also likely, with gusts over 40 mph predicted. Weather officials said a wind advisory may be issued Saturday.
A gale warning is already in place for Delaware, New Jersey and further up the East Coast, as well as the Delaware Bay. Gusts of 35 to 45 knots will “create hazardous boating conditions,” weather officials said.
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While Delaware won’t see much snow, Allentown, Pennsylvania and areas northwest may get 3 to 4 inches. Mount Pocono is expected to see 6 to 8 inches.
Weather officials will publish an updated briefing Friday afternoon.
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