Dover, Delaware – Winter may not be ready to give way to spring across Delaware, as Groundhog Day tradition and seasonal climate outlooks both suggest a delayed warm-up. Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow Monday morning, a long-held signal of six more weeks of winter that pushes expectations for consistent spring weather closer to mid-March.
According to the National Weather Service, Delaware falls into an “equal chances” category for temperatures from February through April. That outlook leaves room for continued cold snaps, chilly mornings, and wide temperature swings across the Mid-Atlantic. Wilmington, Dover, and coastal Sussex County could all see periodic winter-like conditions linger into March before more stable warmth takes hold.
Precipitation trends may have a greater impact. According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, Delaware is included in a broader region favored for above-normal precipitation through early spring. That raises the potential for heavier rain events during milder periods and occasional wintry mixes during colder stretches, which can create slick roads along corridors such as I-95 and Route 1 and increase localized flooding concerns in low-lying areas.
While the Farmers’ Almanac notes spring officially begins Thursday, March 20, and highlights a total lunar eclipse early Tuesday, March 3, winter-related impacts may persist beyond those milestones. Delaware residents are encouraged to stay weather-aware, plan for changing travel conditions, and monitor future advisories, as winter hazards could remain part of the picture into early spring.
