Light Snow Tonight Followed by Dangerous Arctic Cold and High Winds Across Delmarva

A fast-moving clipper system will bring a brief period of light snow to the Delmarva Peninsula tonight, before a powerful Arctic air mass surges into the region early Saturday. While snowfall amounts will remain minor, the combination of sharply falling temperatures, strong winds, and dangerous wind chills will create hazardous conditions through the weekend. Light […]

A fast-moving clipper system will bring a brief period of light snow to the Delmarva Peninsula tonight, before a powerful Arctic air mass surges into the region early Saturday. While snowfall amounts will remain minor, the combination of sharply falling temperatures, strong winds, and dangerous wind chills will create hazardous conditions through the weekend.

Light Snow This Evening Into Early Saturday

Snow will overspread Delmarva this evening as a clipper system passes north of the region. Snow is expected to begin during the evening hours and continue into the overnight period before tapering off early Saturday morning.

Most areas of Delaware, eastern Maryland, and the Virginia Eastern Shore can expect a coating to around one inch of snow. While widespread impacts are not anticipated, an isolated snow squall cannot be ruled out near daybreak Saturday, particularly along the Arctic front. Any squall that develops could briefly reduce visibility and create slick travel conditions, especially on untreated roads.

Snowfall totals are expected to remain below advisory criteria across the region.

Arctic Front Ushers in Brutal Cold

A strong Arctic cold front will move through Delmarva during the pre-dawn hours Saturday. Temperatures may briefly peak near midnight before falling rapidly into the teens and single digits by Saturday morning.

Behind the front, intense cold air advection will dominate the region. Daytime temperatures Saturday are expected to struggle, remaining in the teens and lower 20s with little improvement through the afternoon.

Strong Winds Increase Cold Stress

As Arctic high pressure builds into the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley and low pressure deepens offshore, a tight pressure gradient will develop across the Mid-Atlantic. This will lead to strong northwest winds across Delmarva, sustained between 20 and 30 mph with gusts up to 50 or even 60 mph, particularly in coastal areas.

As a result, High Wind Warnings have been issued region wide in combination with extremely dangerous wind chills. Valid from 8am to 9pm EST Saturday.

Extreme Cold Warnings in Effect

Saturday night will bring the coldest conditions of the event. Overnight lows will fall into the single digits, with wind chills dropping to -10 to -25 degrees across much of Delmarva.

Because of the severity of the cold, Extreme Cold Warnings have been issued. This is part of a newer warning system introduced in October 2024, replacing the former Wind Chill Warning which is the first time ever issued throughout the Delmarva region. Even Wind Chill Warnings has never been issued for our region dating back prior to 2014. Under updated criteria, warning-level cold is now issued at lower thresholds to better reflect the health risks posed by extreme cold exposure.

Cold weather headlines are expected to continue into Sunday morning. Despite some sunshine Sunday afternoon, temperatures will remain bitterly cold, with highs only reaching the single digits to teens.

Safety Precautions Urged

Residents across Delmarva are urged to take precautions:

• Limit outdoor exposure and dress in multiple layers if going outside.
• Cover exposed skin to prevent frostbite.
• Secure loose outdoor items due to strong winds.
• Check on elderly neighbors and ensure pets have adequate shelter.
• Use heating sources safely and never run generators or grills indoors.

While snowfall will be limited, this Arctic outbreak will bring dangerous cold and wind to the Delmarva Peninsula, making preparation and caution essential through the weekend.