Alert archive / Maryland / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 15, NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly

March 16, 2026Caroline County, Talbot County, Maryland; Sussex County, Delaware

NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Mar 16, 2026, 10:24 PM EDT for Caroline County, Talbot County, Maryland; Sussex County, Delaware. It was in force for 62 min. 8 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued: Mar 16, 2026, 10:24 PM EDT (02:24 UTC)
Expired: Mar 16, 2026, 11:26 PM EDT
In force: 62 min
Issued by: NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Possible
Hail: 0.75 in
Wind: 60.0 mph

Counties Sussex County, DE, Caroline County, MD, Talbot County, MD

The radar

The Dover AFB radar (KDOX), 24 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:27 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Mar 16, 10:40 PM EDT	TSTM WND GST 68	Bethel, DE	Measured 68 mph wind gust by broadcast media meteorologist. Partial roof blown off shed. Photo provided in report.
Mar 16, 10:49 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	4 Se Bridgeville, DE	Trees down along Seashore Highway. Time estimated from radar.
Mar 16, 10:57 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	2 Nnw Stockley, DE	PETERKINS RD. IS CLOSED FROM EVERGREEN DR. TO HAVEN DR. DUE TO TREES AND WIRES DOWN IN THE ROADWAY. Time estimated from radar.
Mar 16, 11:03 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	2 Wsw Belltown, DE	Wires down along Route 9 in southern Delaware. Time estimated from radar.
Mar 16, 11:03 PM EDT	TSTM WND GST 61	Delaware Coastal Airpor, DE
Mar 16, 11:10 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	3 Wsw Nassau, DE	Trees and wires down on Wil King Road. Time estimated from radar.
Mar 16, 11:11 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	2 Sw Belltown, DE	8 power poles reported down near Beaver Dam Road and Dairy Farm Road. Time estimated from radar.
Mar 16, 11:16 PM EDT	TSTM WND DMG	Lewes, DE	Trees and wires down in Lewes. Time estimated from radar.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Mar 16, 8:15 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	4 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Washington/Dulle, VA (KIAD), launched 00:00Z, 2.4 hours before the alert went out and 186 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.

Mixed-layer CAPE: 73 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -1 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 702 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 87 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 249 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 333 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

912 
WUUS51 KPHI 170224
SVRPHI
DEC005-MDC011-041-170345-
/O.NEW.KPHI.SV.W.0015.260317T0224Z-260317T0345Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
1024 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly NJ has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Sussex County in southern Delaware...
  Southern Talbot County in eastern Maryland...
  Southeastern Caroline County in eastern Maryland...

* Until 1145 PM EDT.

* At 1023 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from near Cambridge to near Tylerton, moving east at 45
  mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Damage to roofs, siding, trees, and power lines is 
           possible.

* Locations impacted include...
  Georgetown, Seaford, Millsboro, Laurel, Lewes, Milton, Selbyville,
  Delmar, Dagsboro, Millville, Henlopen Acres, Gumboro, Cape Henlopen
  State Park, Sycamore, Long Neck, Ocean View, Blades, Frankford,
  South Bethany, and Dewey Beach.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

This severe thunderstorm may contain little or no lightning. Do not
wait until you hear thunder before taking cover.

&&

LAT...LON 3846 7569 3864 7571 3859 7603 3894 7479
      3881 7477 3875 7486 3845 7483
TIME...MOT...LOC 0223Z 254DEG 38KT 3854 7602 3801 7605 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Hoeflich

5 follow-up statements

544 
WWUS51 KPHI 170234
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
1034 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026

DEC005-MDC011-041-170345-
/O.CON.KPHI.SV.W.0015.000000T0000Z-260317T0345Z/
Sussex DE-Talbot MD-Caroline MD-
1034 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1145 PM EDT
FOR SUSSEX...SOUTHEASTERN TALBOT AND SOUTHEASTERN CAROLINE
COUNTIES...

At 1033 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Hurlock to near Lawsonia, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Trained weather spotters. At 10:24 PM, a mesonet site at 
         Linkwood in Dorchester County gusted to 67 MPH. 

IMPACT...Expect considerable tree damage. Damage is likely to mobile 
         homes, roofs, and outbuildings.

Locations impacted include...
Georgetown, Seaford, Millsboro, Laurel, Lewes, Milton, Selbyville,
Delmar, Dagsboro, Millville, Henlopen Acres, Gumboro, Cape Henlopen
State Park, Sycamore, Long Neck, Ocean View, Blades, Frankford, South
Bethany, and Dewey Beach.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

This severe thunderstorm may contain little or no lightning. Do not
wait until you hear thunder before taking cover.

&&

LAT...LON 3846 7569 3864 7571 3864 7584 3859 7599
      3860 7601 3894 7479 3881 7477 3877 7483
      3877 7486 3845 7483
TIME...MOT...LOC 0233Z 253DEG 36KT 3857 7582 3804 7585 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...OBSERVED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH

$$

Hoeflich

870 
WWUS51 KPHI 170252 RRA
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
1052 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026

MDC011-041-170302-
/O.CAN.KPHI.SV.W.0015.000000T0000Z-260317T0345Z/
Talbot MD-Caroline MD-
1052 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHERN TALBOT AND
SOUTHEASTERN CAROLINE COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the warned 
area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight EDT for
southern Delaware.

LAT...LON 3846 7557 3872 7558 3894 7481 3893 7479
      3881 7477 3878 7482 3877 7486 3845 7484
TIME...MOT...LOC 0252Z 251DEG 40KT 3867 7556 3813 7553 

$$

DEC005-170345-
/O.CON.KPHI.SV.W.0015.000000T0000Z-260317T0345Z/
Sussex DE-
1052 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1145 PM EDT
FOR SUSSEX COUNTY...

At 1052 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Seaford to near West Pocomoke, moving east at 45
mph.

HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Trained weather spotters.

IMPACT...Expect considerable tree damage. Damage is likely to mobile 
         homes, roofs, and outbuildings.

Locations impacted include...
Georgetown, Millsboro, Laurel, Lewes, Milton, Selbyville, Dagsboro,
Millville, Henlopen Acres, Gumboro, Cape Henlopen State Park,
Sycamore, Long Neck, Ocean View, Frankford, South Bethany, and Dewey
Beach.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

This severe thunderstorm may contain little or no lightning. Do not
wait until you hear thunder before taking cover.

&&

LAT...LON 3846 7557 3872 7558 3894 7481 3893 7479
      3881 7477 3878 7482 3877 7486 3845 7484
TIME...MOT...LOC 0252Z 251DEG 40KT 3867 7556 3813 7553 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...OBSERVED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH

$$

Hoeflich

255 
WWUS51 KPHI 170305
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
1105 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026

DEC005-170345-
/O.CON.KPHI.SV.W.0015.000000T0000Z-260317T0345Z/
Sussex DE-
1105 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1145 PM EDT
FOR SOUTHEASTERN SUSSEX COUNTY...

At 1104 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Georgetown to near Gumboro, moving east at 45
mph.

HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Trained weather spotters.

IMPACT...Expect considerable tree damage. Damage is likely to mobile 
         homes, roofs, and outbuildings.

Locations impacted include...
Millsboro, Lewes, Milton, Selbyville, Dagsboro, Millville, Henlopen
Acres, Cape Henlopen State Park, Long Neck, Ocean View, Frankford,
South Bethany, and Dewey Beach.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

This severe thunderstorm may contain little or no lightning. Do not
wait until you hear thunder before taking cover.

&&

LAT...LON 3846 7505 3845 7531 3846 7532 3877 7536
      3883 7520 3894 7481 3892 7479 3881 7477
      3878 7481 3877 7486 3847 7484 3845 7495
TIME...MOT...LOC 0304Z 249DEG 41KT 3871 7534 3845 7531 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...OBSERVED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH

$$

Hoeflich

430 
WWUS51 KPHI 170310
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
1110 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026

DEC005-170345-
/O.CON.KPHI.SV.W.0015.000000T0000Z-260317T0345Z/
Sussex DE-
1110 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1145 PM EDT
FOR SOUTHEASTERN SUSSEX COUNTY...

At 1110 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Lewes to near Selbyville, moving east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Trained weather spotters. At 11:06 PM, Georgetown Airport 
         (KGED) gusted to 61 MPH. 

IMPACT...Expect considerable tree damage. Damage is likely to mobile 
         homes, roofs, and outbuildings.

Locations impacted include...
Lewes, Millville, Henlopen Acres, Cape Henlopen State Park, Long
Neck, Ocean View, Frankford, South Bethany, and Dewey Beach.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

This severe thunderstorm may contain little or no lightning. Do not
wait until you hear thunder before taking cover.

&&

LAT...LON 3846 7502 3846 7522 3879 7526 3894 7481
      3891 7479 3881 7477 3878 7481 3877 7486
      3847 7484 3845 7494
TIME...MOT...LOC 0310Z 252DEG 40KT 3873 7522 3847 7519 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...OBSERVED
MAX WIND GUST...70 MPH

$$

Hoeflich

069 
WWUS51 KPHI 170326
SVSPHI

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
1126 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026

DEC005-170336-
/O.CAN.KPHI.SV.W.0015.000000T0000Z-260317T0345Z/
Sussex DE-
1126 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN SUSSEX COUNTY IS
CANCELLED...

The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until midnight EDT for
southern Delaware.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service
Mount Holly NJ.

LAT...LON 3846 7502 3846 7522 3879 7526 3894 7481
      3891 7479 3881 7477 3878 7481 3877 7486
      3847 7484 3845 7494
TIME...MOT...LOC 0324Z 254DEG 38KT 3877 7504 3851 7501 

$$

Hoeflich

The office that day

Everything else NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Mar 16, 9:32 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	PHI	Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne's, Talbot	58 min
Mar 16, 10:07 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Kent	53 min
Mar 16, 10:13 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PHI	Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne's, Talbot	62 min
Mar 16, 10:23 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	PHI	Caroline, Queen Anne's, Talbot	37 min
Mar 16, 10:35 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	PHI	Caroline	25 min
Mar 16, 10:39 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning Considerable damage threat	PHI	New Castle	51 min
Mar 16, 10:44 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	PHI	Kent	18 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Maryland, 2026 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Delaware, 2026 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.