How weekend storm is impacting the state

A huge storm sweeping the Northeast has already dumped plenty of snow on Delaware with more to come throughout the morning, and for some, into the afternoon.

If you can, avoid hitting the roads this morning. Gov. John Carney issued a state of emergency Friday that went into effect at 10 p.m.

Only those deemed “essential” in Kent and Sussex counties should be driving. In New Castle County, it’s asked that drivers stay off the road “unless there is a significant safety, health, or business reason to do so.”

The snow isn’t over yet, but is gradually losing intensity. The winter storm warning that the state was under and the blizzard warning for Delaware’s beaches have now expired.

As the nor’easter bombs out and makes headway into New England, most parts of the state remain coated in white. 

If you are you debating whether it’s worth trekking out in the snow, stick with us for updates across the state. 

MORE TO READ:Winter storm warning, driving restrictions and snow: What you need to know about the storm

BLIZZARD WARNING EXPIRES

4:00 pm

Delaware’s blizzard warning has now expired. The state’s beaches were under a warning until 4 p.m. due to reduced visibility. Blizzard conditions were confirmed along the coastal strip both Friday night and Saturday morning, according to the National Weather Service

While the snow gradually comes to halt, the skies are will remain cloudy, becoming clear later on, with a low around 10. Winds chills will continue to remain below freezing. 

— Yusra Asif

Mostly cloudy, sub-freezing temperatures make travel treacherous

3:45 p.m.

Clouds looming over and bone-chilling gusts of wind may reduce visibility for those walking and driving. As snow slowly tappers off, vehicles, although few and far between, are back on the blanketed roads. 

While the worst nor’easter has passed, there is a slight chance of snow according to the National Weather Service. Wind blows are expected to pick up as high as 40 mph with some possible rain. 

— Yusra Asif

What’s next? Strong winds, brutal cold incoming

2:00 p.m.

Even though the snowfall in Delaware may have ended, the winter weather has not. Strong winds will continue through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service, though Saturday afternoon will see the worst of it. With these howling winds comes a frigid wind chill, which is expected to stay below zero across the state until Sunday night.

— Hannah Edelman

Snowfall tapers off in Delaware as nor’easter slams into New England

1:25 p.m.

Delaware has likely seen the worst of its snowfall by now. Even as some continue to try to dig themselves out – especially near the beaches – the worst of the nor’easter has passed.

The state has been spared the three feet of snow expected in parts of New England as the blizzard barrels towards the coast. The most snowfall recorded was in Stockley, with 9.3 inches, followed by 9.1 inches in Dagsboro.

In Kent County, Dover saw the most snow accumulated with 8.4 inches. Smyrna saw the least in the area, coming in at 5.4 inches as of 1:10 p.m.

New Castle County received the least snow, averaging 2-4 inches across the county. Blackbird – the outlier in the bunch – saw the most snow at 4.2 inches, followed by 3.7 inches in Claymont.

— Hannah Edelman

Snow leaves Dover roads, restaurants empty 

12:40 p.m.

It’s been a quiet morning (and early afternoon) in Dover where traffic has been sparse due to the snow. There wasn’t a car in sight around 11:30 a.m. at the McDonald’s on Lebanon Road near Dover Air Force Base. Southbound traffic on Route 1 has been light this morning, too, with occasional snowplow drivers heading downstate.

— Andre Lamar

Winer storm warning extended to 2 p.m. in New Castle, Kent counties

12:05 p.m.

Despite what appeared to be a stop to the snow in New Castle and Kent counties, the National Weather Service extended the winter weather warning in these areas for another two hours.

Meteorologists warned that “heavy snow” was on its way to add up to another 2 inches to the day’s totals by 2 p.m. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph, making for low visibility and dangerous driving conditions.

Dover currently has the most snow in both counties, recording a total accumulation of 8.4 inches.

— Hannah Edelman

Sussex County staying inside, hunkering down as more snow falls

11:40 a.m.

Judging by the number of people at grocery stores on Friday, Sussex County was prepared to hunker down for a few days. On Saturday, the only things moving outside, other than the snow, are the birds. A few of the main roads have been plowed but quickly became snow-covered again.

— Shannon Marvel McNaught

As snow, wind continues, Department of Transportation struggles to keep up

11 a.m.

The Delaware Department of Transportation is having trouble clearing the roads as the storm continues to pile on snow statewide. Conditions are worst in Kent and Sussex counties, with high winds and falling snow.

Level two driving restrictions remain in effect in the area, prohibiting non-emergency personnel from using the roads. The restrictions have led to business closures, including Beebe Healthcare, which cancelled all outpatient services for Saturday.

As of 11 a.m., snowfall has surpassed 9 inches in Dagsboro and Stockley.

— Hannah Edelman

Smyrna shovels, scrapes as snow continues to fall

10:25 a.m.

At 10:25 a.m., snow is still falling in Smyrna, with an accumulation of about 5 inches so far, with drifting because of wind gusts. Main roads and many secondary roads have been plowed but they are quickly being covered by falling snow and wind-blown snow.

— Ben Mace

Lewes still digging out of snow

10:10 a.m.

Many roads are still covered in snow like Plantation Road in the area of Shady Road near the Lowe’s in Lewes. The snow is powdery and still blowing around significantly in the Lewes area. Even when plows clear out some of the snow, more is blowing on the roads and parking lots, and a layer of ice and slush seems to have formed underneath.

— Emily Lytle

Looking ahead: cold temperatures, wind, more snow

9:40 a.m.

Delaware is in for a cold, blustery day, according to the National Weather Service’s latest update.

Statewide, wind gusts could reach 40 mph, and temperatures are expected to drop below zero overnight. New Castle and Kent counties may see 1-3 inches of new snow accumulation, and Sussex County could see 2-4 inches.

— Hannah Edelman

Blowing snow, frothy waves in Bethany Beach

9:05 a.m.

As the Delaware beaches hunker down under a blizzard advisory until 4 p.m. today, snow-covered beaches and frothy waves are hitting the coast.

A live camera shot from Bethany Beach’s oceanfront shows snow-covered dunes and lots of white caps hitting the shore – a striking difference from what so many have come to know and love about the Delaware beaches. 

Bethany Beach continues to have one of the highest snowfall totals in the state at 8.4 inches, but bands of snow hitting the beach communities could increase that dramatically – and fast. 

Another live camera pointing toward the boardwalk is completely obscured by the snow, but a third camera pointed south in Bethany showed more white conditions and waves as the nor’easter keeps battering the region.

— Brittany Horn

More snow in New Castle County, at least 2 inches statewide

8:45 a.m.

New Castle County has accumulated another half inch of snow in the last hour. It brings Wilmington’s snow total up to 2.3 inches and Newark’s up to 2.4 inches.

Blackbird still leads the county with 4 inches as of 8:40, followed by 3.1 inches in Port Penn and 3 inches in Claymont.