Delaware starts the day under chilly air and dry pavement, but winter impacts are lining up fast.
Gray skies and cold breath hint at a developing shift that matters for post-Christmas travel.
According to the National Weather Service, a warm-to-cold transition unfolds after Christmas, bringing increasing chances for wintry precipitation by late Friday into Saturday. That timing places the highest risk squarely on post-holiday travel across northern Delaware and nearby Pennsylvania and New Jersey corridors.
Temperatures stay mild enough for rain early on Christmas, with highs pushing the upper 40s. That warmth fades quickly. Colder air slides in Thursday night, dropping lows into the mid-20s and setting the stage for winter weather impacts.
Meteorologists are now tracking a developing system expected to arrive Friday. Rain becomes likely by afternoon. As colder air deepens, precipitation may mix with sleet and snow before transitioning to freezing rain Friday evening. By late night, snow becomes more likely as temperatures fall near 28 degrees.
Conditions may deteriorate quickly after sunset. Wet roads could freeze, creating black ice on bridges and elevated surfaces. Even light ice can make travel hazardous, especially on untreated roads. Plan extra time if heading out Friday night.
Saturday brings lingering impacts. A rain-snow mix remains possible during the morning, with temperatures struggling to rise above the upper 30s. Slushy patches may persist, and visibility could drop during steadier precipitation bursts.
To be fair, this does not appear to be a major snowstorm. Still, timing and temperature changes increase risk. Flash freezing becomes more likely when daytime moisture refreezes after dark.
This pattern fits a broader national picture. Snow and ice affect parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes, while heavier rain targets California. Locally, winter is asserting itself during the final week of December.
5-Day Outlook for Wilmington, DE:
- Today: Sunny, breezy, high near 46
- Christmas Day: Slight rain chance, high near 47
- Thursday: Mostly cloudy, colder, high near 34
- Friday: Rain turning wintry, high near 34
- Saturday: Chance rain/snow, high near 39
