Wilmington, DE – Delaware is preparing for a stretch of bitter Arctic cold as temperatures are expected to plunge next weekend, bringing subzero wind chills, single-digit lows, and dangerously cold mornings from Thursday, December 11, through Monday, December 15. The system will impact the entire state, including Wilmington, Dover, and Rehoboth Beach, marking the coldest air of the winter so far.
According to the National Weather Service Mount Holly, an Arctic air mass will move into the Mid-Atlantic late Thursday, driving temperatures down sharply by early Friday. Morning lows are forecast to fall into the teens and single digits, with wind chills between –5°F and –15°F possible across northern Delaware.
The front will bring mostly dry conditions, though brief flurries or coastal snow showers cannot be ruled out. Even without significant precipitation, the gusty northwest winds will create hazardous outdoor and travel conditions.
Officials urge residents to limit outdoor exposure, dress in layers, and check on vulnerable neighbors and pets. Homeowners should also inspect heating systems and protect pipes from freezing. Frostbite can occur in as little as 10 to 15 minutes under subzero wind chills.
The Arctic outbreak will persist through Monday, December 16, before temperatures gradually recover midweek. However, forecasters caution that another cold surge may follow later in December.
Stay informed with updates from the National Weather Service Mount Holly and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency as the cold intensifies.
