Wilmington, Delaware – The risk of a winter storm affecting Delaware is increasing, as forecasters continue to monitor a developing system that could bring accumulating snow and hazardous travel conditions later this weekend, according to the NOAA Weather Prediction Center.
The outlook focuses on the period from 7 p.m. Friday through 7 p.m. Monday, when a strengthening storm system may impact the Interstate 95 corridor, including Wilmington, Newark, and northern Delaware, as well as connecting routes through the Delmarva region.
As of Monday evening, Delaware is included in a 20% probability area for at least moderate winter storm impacts, with forecasters noting that probabilities are trending upward as confidence in the broader weather pattern improves. Officials caution that exact snowfall amounts, timing, and impacts are not yet finalized.
What forecasters know:
- Very cold Arctic air will be entrenched across the Mid-Atlantic, meaning any precipitation will fall as snow, including near the coast.
- A high-altitude disturbance is expected to dive out of Canada on Thursday, then strengthen across the eastern U.S. by Saturday.
- This setup is likely to produce a surface low-pressure system, which could track close enough to bring widespread precipitation into the Mid-Atlantic.
- If the storm track shifts slightly inland, snowfall could impact much of Delaware, particularly along I-95 and Route 1.
What remains uncertain:
- The exact track and strength of the surface low
- Whether the heaviest snow focuses north of Delaware, directly over the state, or offshore
- The duration and intensity of snowfall within the Friday–Monday window
With temperatures expected to remain below freezing, even moderate snowfall could result in prolonged icy road conditions, reduced visibility, and travel delays, especially during overnight periods and early-morning commutes.
Residents are urged to monitor forecast updates closely through midweek, particularly those planning weekend travel, as probabilities may continue to increase if forecast confidence improves.
