Salisbury, Maryland — A major winter storm is expected to significantly impact the Delmarva Peninsula this weekend, bringing heavy snowfall, strong winds, and hazardous travel conditions from Saturday night through Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
The rapidly intensifying coastal storm will track just offshore, placing Delaware, Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and Virginia’s Eastern Shore in a prime zone for moderate to heavy snow. Current forecasts indicate 4 to 8 inches of snow across much of the peninsula, with locally higher totals possible where snow bands persist longest.
Snow is expected to develop late Saturday, quickly intensifying overnight as winds increase. Gusty northeast winds may exceed 35 mph, leading to blowing and drifting snow, sharply reduced visibility, and periods of near-whiteout conditions. Travel is expected to become especially dangerous along US-13, US-50, Route 1, and coastal connectors serving Ocean City and the Delaware beaches.
By Sunday morning, road conditions may deteriorate rapidly, with snow-covered and icy surfaces making travel extremely difficult or impossible in some areas. Strong winds combined with wet snow could also result in isolated power outages, particularly in exposed coastal communities.
In addition to snow, coastal flooding is possible due to strong onshore winds coinciding with high tides, especially along the Atlantic coastline and bayside communities. Minor to locally moderate coastal flooding could impact low-lying roads and neighborhoods.
Behind the storm, Arctic air will surge into the region, bringing dangerously cold wind chills near or below zero, increasing the risk of frostbite and hypothermia.
Residents across Delmarva are urged to complete storm preparations early, avoid travel during peak conditions, and closely monitor official forecasts. This storm has the potential to be one of the most disruptive winter weather events of the season for the Delmarva Peninsula.
