Winter Storm — New Castle, Delaware

2009-03-01 to 2009-03-02 · New Castle, Delaware

Wider weather episode

A winter storm occurred across Delaware from the late afternoon of the 1st into the late afternoon of the 2nd. About five to ten inches of snow fell across the region. The combination of strong winds and heavy snow made travel difficult at best and made it tough for road crews to keep thoroughfares opened. There were many fender benders and vehicles that slid off roads. More than 300 accidents were reported statewide. The Mid-Atlantic AAA responded to 2,600 calls for assistance throughout their region. All schools as well as many state, county and municipal offices were closed on Monday March 2nd. Many businesses and colleges were also closed. Many daytime and evening meetings were postponed. Schools did not reopen until the 4th in New Castle and Kent Counties and the 5th in Sussex County.

Precipitation began as a mixture of rain and sleet across the lower part of the state and just plain snow in the northern part of the state during the late afternoon and early evening of the 1st. The mixed precipitation changed to all snow by the start of the evening of the 1st and fell heavy at times during the evening and overnight as gravity wave bands of heavier snow moved through the region. Snow of generally lighter intensity fell during the day on the 2nd, before it ended during the late afternoon.

In New Castle County, there were 80 reported snow related accidents, six of them caused injuries. In Kent County, there were 122 snow related accidents. Fifty-six of those resulted in vehicular damage and two had injuries. There was also 64 reported disabled vehicles. In Sussex County, road crews had a difficult time keeping roadways open as considerable drifting occurred, especially in the western part of the county. There were 183 reported snow related accidents, 106 of which resulted in vehicular damage and four injuries. There were also 73 disabled vehicles. Mailboxes were also not immune as 58 of them were damaged during plowing operations.

Snowfall totals included 9.7 inches at the New Castle County Airport, 9.0 inches in Houston (Kent County), 8.8 inches in Viola (Kent County), 8.5 inches in Frankford (Sussex County), 6.2 inches in Blackbird (New Castle County), 6.0 inches in Lewes and Bethany Beach (both Sussex County), 5.1 inches in Dover (Kent County), 5.0 inches in Rehoboth (Sussex County) and 4.2 inches in Bridgeville (Sussex County).

The winter storm was caused by a nor'easter that moved east of the region. The nor'easter low pressure system moved from the Georgia and South Carolina border at 7 a.m. EST on the 1st to about 150 miles east of the southern New Jersey coast at 7 a.m. EST on the 2nd. It was passing through the Canadian Maritimes during the morning of the 3rd. Heavy snow bands associated with the gravity wave occurred during the pre-dawn hours on the 2nd when most of the heaviest snow fell.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 159464. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.