As the East Coast prepares for its visit from the winter storm that has been impacting Central and Southeastern United States, Delaware should anticipate its dose of hazardous conditions.
The storm will bring heavy snowfall, strong winds, freezing rain, severe thunderstorms and the possibility of flooding and tornadoes to various parts of the country, according to the National Weather Service in Mt. Holly, New Jersey.
Delaware is not expected to see any storm impact until Thursday, when heavy rain, strong winds and the possibility of snow will begin early in the morning.
Rain will continue into Friday morning and last through the afternoon before tapering off by evening.
As the storm progressed during the earlier part of the week, a previous hazardous weather outlook that was posted for Kent County and Sussex County now includes New Castle County.
Northwestern parts of New Castle County could be looking at about an inch of snow on Thursday morning, along with an expected .03 inches of ice accumulation, which parts of Kent County will experience, as well.
By Wednesday morning, the expected storm impact to New Castle County was updated again to account for the increased winter weather slated to hit the area. Folks on their way to work should be cautious as wintry precipitation, a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain, rears its head from dawn until noon.
“Overall, in terms of snowfall for the area around Delaware, across the state, forecasts for snowfall are very little. About an inch,” said Michael Lee, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Mt. Holly, New Jersey. “The morning commute might be messy in terms of what we’re seeing falling from the sky during that time.”
All drivers, especially those using I-95 in the morning, should remain cautious and take it easy during their travels as ice is expected to form on roadways. Drivers can call 511 for the latest information about road conditions in their state.
About two inches of rain is expected to hit the area but widespread flooding is not a major concern at this time, he said.
“We’re fairly confident it will switch over to rain by Thursday afternoon,” said Lee. “We’ll have to see over the next couple of days. It certainly has room to get a little bit worse.”
Initial storm coverage:Storm conditions expected to hit Delaware later this week, could bring first snowfall
New Castle County
New Castle County is expected to have a high of 45 degrees and a low of 45 degrees on Thursday. There is a 100% chance of precipitation during the day, with rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow until 10 a.m. Rain will continue throughout the day with winds up to 15 mph and gusts up to 25 mph.
In the evening, a 100% chance of rain is expected to continue from earlier in the day, with little or no snow expected. It is predicted that the rain could get heavy at times and will result in up to one inch of rainfall.
On Friday, the high will be 45 degrees and the low will be 32 degrees. Partly sunny skies are expected along with a 40% chance of rain during the day before leading into clear skies for the evening. Wind gusts up to 25 mph are possible.
Kent County
On Thursday, Kent County will see a high of 48 degrees and a low of 44 degrees. Rain will begin after 7 a.m. with a 100% chance of precipitation, along with up to 15 mph winds in the morning and up to 25 mph winds in the afternoon. These conditions will continue into the night with rainfall expected between one and two inches but little to no sleet accumulation. Wind gusts at night could reach up to 40 mph.
Friday will be partly sunny with a high of 46 degrees and a low of 32 degrees, plus a 30% chance of rain before 1 p.m. and wind gusts up to 25 mph. Nightfall will bring clear skies.
Sussex County
In Sussex County, Thursday’s high will be 51 degrees and the low will be 44 degrees. A 100% chance of rain is expected after 7 a.m. and winds up to 20 mph will be present. By nightfall, thunderstorms will be possible after 8 p.m. and rain will continue until 1 a.m., accumulating up to one inch.
By Friday, temperatures will be as high as 57 degrees and as low as 31 degrees. A 60% chance of rain is predicted before 8 a.m. and up to 20 mph winds will be present. Skies will be partly sunny before transitioning to partly cloudy in the evening.
Changing forecasts
These weather estimates have generally increased in intensity since initial forecasts were made on Monday, with each county seeing lower daytime temperatures and more precipitation than previously expected.
Along with those predictions, minor coastal flooding has been a concern all week for New Castle County and Kent County along with inland and Atlantic coastal portions of Sussex County. Waters adjacent to the mouth of the Delaware Bay − notably East Point, N.J., to Slaughter Beach, Del. − and Atlantic coastal waters, along with waters from Cape Henlopen to Fenwick Island, have been at risk for gale-force winds and very rough seas.
Inclement weather is still on track to subside by the early weekend and Delaware should expect a mix of partly sunny and partly cloudy skies as temperatures continue dropping.
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