(Smyrna) – Governor Jack Markell ordered state offices closed between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm today, with non-essential employees told to not report while essential employees were to report at their normal times.  County offices in New Castle and Sussex Counties were also closed today, while Kent County officers were opened, but with a liberal leave policy in effect.  A statewide Winter Weather Warning remains in effect until 7:00pm this evening.

Although the storm system moved into Delaware much more slowly than originally expected, the National Weather Service continues to forecast 4-8 inches of snow in New Castle and Kent Counties, and 4-6 inches in Sussex County.  Some areas of the state are now seeing moderate to heavy snow, which will continue throughout the afternoon.  Accumulating snow is expected to end by sunset.  Temperatures will drop tonight and overnight, resulting in low temperature at sunrise Friday in the single digits.  North to northwest winds will combine with the low temperatures to create sub-zero wind chills.  Winds gusting up to 30 MPH closer to the Atlantic coast could create some blowing snow.

The Delaware Environmental Observing System (DEOS) reports the highest amount of snowfall in the state so far is at Greenville with 3.8 inches, and less than a half-inch of snow so far in Smyrna.  Some parts of Kent County are showing just a trace of snow on the ground, and no reported accumulation in Sussex County.

Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) are at work in all three counties.  A number of minor collisions have been reported across the state as road conditions get more slippery.

The number of power outages across the state have been few so far, but officials remain concerned that the wet snow accumulation could result in downed power lines.

Many schools in Delaware closed for the day.  A full listing of school closings is available at http://schoolclosings.delaware.gov/.

(Smyrna) – The Delaware Emergency Operations Center was activated at 4:00am, today, Thursday, March 5, 2015.  A statewide Winter Weather Warning remains in effect until 7:00pm this evening.

While the storm system is moving into Delaware later than originally expected, the National Weather Service forecast remains for 4-8 inches of snow in New Castle and Kent Counties, and 4-6 inches in Sussex County.  Steady snow is expected through the day statewide, and temperatures should drop into the 20s by this afternoon.

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has crews at work.  No traffic impacts have been reported, but the afternoon commute will be affected by the snow and road conditions.

Information on school closures, is available at http://schoolclosings.delaware.gov/.

(Smyrna) – Governor Jack Markell ordered State of Delaware offices closed today, during regular business hours 8am to 4:30pm.  Non-essential employees were told not to report to work for this period, while essential employees were to report as scheduled.  Government offices are also closed today in all three counties, as well as the cities of Wilmington, Newark, and Dover.  Delaware Technical and Community College campuses in Wilmington/Stanton, Dover and Georgetown closed, and classes were cancelled at Wesley College’s main Dover campus and at Dover Air Force Base.  Due to winter weather conditions impacting our area, the Wilmington Public Safety Strategies Commission meeting scheduled for tonight has been cancelled.

Statewide Winter Weather Advisories were cancelled by the National Weather Service this morning before the scheduled expiration time, as accumulating snowfall had ended.  The Delaware Environmental Observation Center reports the lowest amount of snow, 2.4 inches, occurred at Newark, with the highest measured amount, 6.3 inches, at Stockley.  Sussex County was hardest hit, with measurements of 5.9 inches at Laurel and Ellendale, while New Castle County got off lightest as snow measured 2.9 inches at Hockessin, Prices Corner, and White Clay Creek.  Dover checked in at 4.0 inches of snow.

(Smyrna) – A Winter Storm Warning, issued by the National Weather Service (NWS), remains in effect statewide until 10:00am today.

State of Delaware offices are closed today, during regular business hours 8am to 4:30pm.  Non-essential employees are not to report to work for this period.  Essential employees are to report as scheduled.  New Castle County government offices are also closed today.

The forecast calls for the snow to end around 8am this morning, with possibly up to an inch of additional snow.  An estimated accumulation of 4 to 6 inches of snow is expected in New Castle County, with 6 to 10 inches in Kent and Sussex Counties.

Roads are reported snow covered.  Road and weather conditions will have varying impacts on the morning rush hour. Motorists should allow extra time for their morning commute, reduce speeds, and use extreme caution while driving. The speed limit on Interstate 495 in New Castle County was reduced to 45 MPH around three o’clock this morning.  The speed limit on the Delaware Memorial Bridge has been dropped to 50 MPH.  DelDOT is plowing and salting major roads across the state, and will get to secondary and minor roads as the snow ends.

A number of public and private schools in Delaware have reported closings this morning.  A complete list can be found at http://schoolclosings.delaware.gov/.  The Georgetown campus of Delaware Technical & Community College is closed – other DelTech campuses are currently reported as open. Wesley College in Dover is set to open at 9:30am, with a re-evaluation of the situation to take place by 7am.

There have been some minor problems statewide with power outages, but most areas have been restored.

(Smyrna) – The Delaware Emergency Operations Center was activated at 7:00pm, today, Monday, February 16, 2015.  A Winter Weather Warning remains in effect until noon tomorrow, Tuesday, February 17 for statewide.

The National Weather Service forecast is for 6-10 inches of snow in Sussex County, 4-6 inches of snow in Kent County, and 3-5 inches in New Castle.  The snow is expected to become moderate to heavy at times overnight, ending around noon on Tuesday.

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has crews at work.  No traffic impacts have been reported, but the morning commute will probably be slower than normal as cleanup efforts will be underway.

For information on school closures, log on to http://schoolclosings.delaware.gov/.

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