Wilmington, DE – A stretch of springlike warmth could take hold across Delaware within days, accelerating snowmelt and increasing the risk of standing water on roadways well before St. Patrick’s Day festivities begin.
According to NOAA’s 8-14 day outlook issued February 26 and valid March 6-12, there is an 80-90% probability of above normal temperatures stretching from New England through the Mid-Atlantic and into the Southeast. Delaware is firmly within that high-confidence zone, signaling highs that could run significantly above early March averages statewide.
In Wilmington, where typical early March highs hover in the mid-40s, afternoon readings could climb well beyond seasonal norms. Dover, Newark and Middletown are also expected to see milder days and warmer overnight lows, reducing freeze concerns but speeding up the thaw of any remaining snowpack in northern sections of the state.
The precipitation outlook reinforces an unsettled pattern. NOAA favors above normal rainfall across much of the eastern United States during the March 6-12 window, with the strongest precipitation signals near the Great Lakes. Delaware remains in a corridor supportive of repeated rain events moving up the Mid-Atlantic coast.
The combination of elevated temperatures and steady rain could lead to minor urban flooding, particularly in low-lying areas along the Christina and Brandywine rivers and near major routes such as I-95 and Route 1. Residents should clear storm drains and avoid driving through water-covered roads during heavier downpours.
This warm, wet pattern is expected to persist through March 12, with additional updates likely as confidence increases heading deeper into early March.
