Wilmington, Del. – Drivers across Delaware could face a rough Thursday as storms build by morning, bringing heavy rain, lightning, and hazardous road conditions. The biggest concern targets commuters along I-95 and I-295, where wet pavement and ponding could slow travel during peak hours. Officials urge residents to allow extra travel time and prepare for potential localized flooding.
According to the National Weather Service, showers and thunderstorms move in late Wednesday and persist through Thursday evening. Rainfall could exceed half an inch in spots, with stronger cells producing lightning and quick bursts of heavy rain. A 70% chance of showers and storms holds steady throughout Thursday, and motorists are advised to use caution, especially on busy interstates and secondary roads.
By Friday, conditions improve slightly but scattered showers linger. Highs dip into the upper 70s, marking a cooler trend for the first week of fall. Skies clear further into the weekend, though chances for brief showers remain on Saturday. Early next week looks dry and mild, signaling a stable stretch after the unsettled midweek weather.
Residents should secure outdoor items before storms roll in, charge devices in case of outages, and avoid flooded intersections. Thunderstorms could trigger brief disruptions in air travel at Philadelphia International and New Castle Airport.
Storm chances taper off Friday night, but another round of light rain could arrive Saturday before dry, cooler weather returns by Monday. More advisories remain possible as the week unfolds.
Five-Day Forecast for Wilmington, Delaware:
- Tuesday: Increasing clouds, high 85°F.
- Wednesday: Slight chance of showers after 2 p.m., high 83°F.
- Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, high 81°F.
- Friday: Chance of showers, high 78°F.
- Saturday: Spotty showers early, partly sunny, high 79°F.
