Bomb Cyclone Misses Delaware, But Frigid Temps Linger

When will the snow melt and temperatures rise in the First State?

Feb. 1, 2026 at 11:15am

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A forecasted coastal snowstorm pushed way offshore, leaving partly cloudy skies and bone-chilling breezes in Delaware for the weekend. Temperatures remain below freezing, frustrating residents seeing piles of snow on street corners and icy side streets. The good news is the snowpack can decrease through sublimation, but dangerous cold is forecasted to return next weekend.

Why it matters

Delaware residents have been dealing with an extended period of frigid temperatures and heavy snowfall, which has caused disruptions to daily life and concerns about when conditions will improve. Understanding the timeline for melting snow and rising temperatures is crucial for the state to return to normal operations.

The details

Temperatures have not been warmer than freezing since Jan. 24 when a snowstorm moved in and dumped almost a foot of snow and ice on northern Delaware. The good news is the snowpack can decrease through sublimation, a process driven by sunlight, low humidity and wind, which turns the solid snow into a vapor. High temperatures are forecasted to eclipse the freezing mark – 32 degrees Fahrenheit – on Tuesday, Feb. 3 from Wilmington to Georgetown. After that, it's right back to the chilly below-freezing pattern that has gripped the northeastern U.S. for a week. Ice has also piled up in Delaware's waterways, especially downstate, with some shore areas of the Delaware Bay iced in almost completely.

  • On Jan. 24, a snowstorm dumped almost a foot of snow and ice on northern Delaware.
  • High temperatures are forecasted to eclipse the freezing mark on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
  • Dangerous cold is once again forecasted to invade the area later next weekend.

The players

Delaware

The state that has been dealing with an extended period of frigid temperatures and heavy snowfall, causing disruptions to daily life.

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The takeaway

Delaware residents will have to continue enduring the frigid temperatures and snow for the time being, with a brief respite on Tuesday, Feb. 3 before another round of dangerous cold arrives next weekend. The state will need to focus on clearing snow and ice to return to normal operations as temperatures slowly rise.