High winds, limited visibility and various amounts of snow accumulations expected.
DOVER (DE) BY DIGITAL STAFF: The first snow storm of the New Year is just hours away and is predicted to drop various amounts throughout the state and will bring high winds, limited visibility and nasty road conditions according to the National Weather Service in Mount Holly.
The storm is forecast to bring varying amounts of accumulating snow across the state, with higher totals expected in southern Delaware. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph may limit visibility as well as cause damage to trees and power lines.
In New Castle County, the snow accumulation is expected to be the least with a projection of 1-3 inches. However, Kent and Sussex County may see as much as 6-8 inches with the heaviest snow dropping along the northeast corridor.
The National Weather Service has also issued a Winter Storm Warning for Kent and Sussex Counties from 4:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday, and a Winter Weather Advisory for New Castle County from 4:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday.
A Coastal Flood Warning is also in effect for Kent and Sussex Counties from 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday and a Coastal Flood Advisory for New Castle County from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday.
The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) is also preparing for the arrival of a statewide snow event and according to a news release, DelDOT will be bringing in staff beginning early Monday morning in advance of the storm and motorists should expect difficult travel conditions throughout the morning as roads could become snow-covered during the heaviest period of snowfall.
DELDOT asks motorists to slow down and adjust their driving to the conditions, leaving plenty of space between other vehicles as stopping distances increase greatly on snow- and ice-covered roads, allow for extra time to reach destinations, and give snowplows plenty of room to work.
At this time, DART plans to operate fixed route and paratransit bus services on their regular weekday schedule, however, delays should be expected and customers should check dartfirststate.com and the DART app for real-time updates.
The DelDOT snowplow tracker will be active during the storm and is available via the DelDOT smartphone app and www.deldot.gov under the interactive maps icon. Additionally, DelDOT also has more than 200 traffic cameras that are available to view road conditions around the state.
In anticipation of the upcoming storm, several Delaware school districts have announced school closures and delays. Here’s a list of the latest closures and delays.
Brandywine School District: Due to inclement weather all Brandywine Schools will be closed Monday, January 3rd. All after-school activities and sports are cancelled.
Caesar Rodney School District: In anticipation of tomorrow’s projected snowfall the Caesar Rodney School District will be closed to students tomorrow Monday, January 3, 2022. This will be a true SNOW DAY for students.
Christina School District: All Christina School District schools, offices and programs will be closed on Monday, Jan. 3. The closure includes students enrolled in the district’s virtual academy, preschool, and special programs. After-school activities will also be canceled on Monday.
Colonial School District: All Colonial School District schools, offices and programs will be closed on Monday, Jan. 3. All after-school activities, testing sites and appointments scheduled for Monday also will be canceled. All Colonial students will return to school on Wednesday, Jan. 5.
NCC Vo-Tech: Monday, Jan. 3., will be a remote learning day for students at New Castle County Vocational Technical School District. Assignments will be posted on Schoology for students to complete on their own schedule.
Red Clay School District: All Red Clay School District schools and offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 3. The closure will be treated as a traditional snow day and students and staff will be welcomed back on Tuesday. The district’s Test-to-Stay program is scheduled to resume Monday evening for those who have previously registered. If weather permits, those testing sites will operate as scheduled from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m..
Other School Closures:
Smyrna School District schools, offices and programs will be closed
Capital School District schools will be closed
Lake Forest School District schools will be closed
Milford School District schools will be closed
Cape Henlopen School District schools will be closed
Delmar School District schools will be closed
Indian River School District schools and offices will be closed
Laurel School District schools and offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 3. After-school activities will also be canceled on Monday.
Seaford School District schools will be closed
Sussex County Vocational Technical School District schools will be closed
Woodbridge School District schools will be closed
Update 8:30 a.m.: State of Delaware offices are closed on Monday, January 3, 2022 during regular business hours 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Non-essential employees are not to report to work for this period. Essential employees designated for severe weather are to report as scheduled.
Sussex County Government: Sussex County government offices are scheduled at this time to operate on a two-hour delay Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, due to the forecast for winter weather in our region. The delay is subject to change based on the latest forecast and conditions Monday morning.
Update 1:00 p.m.: Sussex County government offices are now CLOSED due to winter weather in the region today, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022.
* Curative canceled a testing trailer in Rehoboth (Epworth) due to a staffing issue. Curative is rerouting those appointments to Georgetown Plaza.
* Modern Maturity’s testing site in Dover is now closed and Curative has notified all people with appointments there. Curative is not able to reroute those appointments.
* Curative’s customer support notified all patients that the State Service Center testing sites will be opening at 10 a.m. and patients will be seen from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting.
* All Division of Public Health standing vaccine sites and clinics will operate on a weather delay as state offices are opening at 10 a.m. Monday.
Beebe Healthcare: Due to current weather conditions, Beebe Healthcare announces the following closings: Georgetown Walk-In Care Center closed at noon today; Millville and Millsboro Walk-In Care Centers will be closing at 1 p.m. today. All Outpatient Lab services, Imaging, and Physical Rehabilitation will be closed today as well. Scheduled patients will be contacted to reschedule their appointments.
All Beebe Healthcare Primary Care and Specialty Care offices appointments will be converted to telemedicine instead of in-person. All scheduled patients have been contacted.
Both of Beebe’s Emergency Departments remain open for emergencies. If you need emergency care always call 911 first. As a reminder, our South Coastal Emergency Department near Millville is open and ready to care for you in that area. Please do not utilize emergency departments for COVID-19 testing.
Wilmington Trash Collection: Public Works Commissioner Kelly Williams said this morning that hazardous winter weather conditions predicted for Wilmington today, Monday, January 3, has caused the trash collection schedule to be adjusted this week. Trash and recyclables now will be collected on the following modified schedule.
• Tuesday, January 4: East of I-95 trash collection
• Wednesday, January 5: West of I-95 trash collection
• Thursday, January 6: East of I-95 recyclables collection
• Friday, January 7: West of I-95 recyclables collection
Follow this link for more information about trash and recycling in the City. To report issues about trash and recycling collection, please dial 3-1-1 or visit: www.WilmingtonDE.gov/311
