Wilmington, Delaware – Delaware residents are being urged to stay prepared as a prolonged stretch of cold weather continues to grip the region, keeping the threat for additional snowstorms elevated through mid-February after a massive winter system recently swept across much of the country.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, temperatures across Delaware are expected to remain below normal for an extended period. With cold air firmly in place, any storm system tracking across the Mid-Atlantic would likely bring snow rather than rain, and longer-range outlooks continue to signal an active pattern capable of producing periods of heavier snowfall.
The heightened concern follows Winter Storm Fern, a sprawling system that traveled from Texas to Maine and impacted more than two dozen states. Fern dropped nearly two feet of snow in parts of New York and New England, with widespread totals exceeding a foot reported from Texas through the Mid-Atlantic. In Delaware, the storm created hazardous travel along Interstate 95, Route 1, and Route 13, while school schedules and daily commutes were disrupted by snow-covered and icy roads.
As cold conditions linger, communities from Wilmington and Newark to Dover, Middletown, and coastal Sussex County could face renewed impacts if similarly strong systems develop. Delaware Department of Transportation officials warn that repeated snow events can quickly deteriorate road conditions, especially during overnight and early morning hours when temperatures remain well below freezing and untreated surfaces turn icy.
Emergency management officials are encouraging residents to prepare now by checking heating systems, restocking winter emergency kits, and ensuring vehicles are equipped for snow and ice. Limiting non-essential travel during snow events can also reduce risk. While the exact timing of future storms remains uncertain, forecasters say the overall pattern favors continued winter threats. Additional advisories and alerts may be issued as confidence increases, with cold and snow likely remaining a persistent concern across Delaware through mid-February.
