Alert archive / Delaware / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 26, NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly
NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Apr 1, 2026, 11:24 PM EDT for Sussex County, Delaware. It was in force for 36 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued.
The facts
- Issued
- Apr 1, 2026, 11:24 PM EDT (03:24 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 2, 2026, 12:00 AM EDT
- In force
- 36 min
- Issued by
- NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 0.75 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
County Sussex County, DE
The radar
The Dover AFB radar (KDOX), 32 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:26 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.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this severe thunderstorm warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
The nearest sounding before it
Washington/Dulle, VA (KIAD), launched 00:00Z, 3.4 hours before the alert went out and 194 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 101 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -140 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1754 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 31 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 57 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 176 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- -0.0
- Supercell composite
- -0.0
The text
As transmitted.
947
WUUS51 KPHI 020324
SVRPHI
DEC005-020400-
/O.NEW.KPHI.SV.W.0026.260402T0324Z-260402T0400Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
1124 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
The National Weather Service in Mount Holly NJ has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Southeastern Sussex County in southern Delaware...
* Until midnight EDT.
* At 1123 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Millsboro,
or 9 miles east of Georgetown, moving east at 25 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Damage to roofs, siding, trees, and power lines is
possible.
* Locations impacted include...
Millsboro, Dagsboro, Millville, Henlopen Acres, Long Neck, Ocean
View, and Dewey Beach.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.
&&
LAT...LON 3854 7530 3868 7532 3875 7506 3854 7503
TIME...MOT...LOC 0323Z 261DEG 22KT 3864 7522
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$
MJL1 follow-up statement
615 WWUS51 KPHI 020358 SVSPHI Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ 1158 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026 DEC005-020408- /O.EXP.KPHI.SV.W.0026.000000T0000Z-260402T0400Z/ Sussex DE- 1158 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026 ...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN SUSSEX COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT MIDNIGHT EDT... The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. However gusty winds and heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm. LAT...LON 3854 7530 3868 7532 3875 7506 3854 7503 TIME...MOT...LOC 0358Z 261DEG 22KT 3867 7496 $$ MJL
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Apr 1, 7:31 PM EDT, 3 hours 53 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1. A cold front crosses the region through this evening. Showers and some thunderstorms will accompany the front, with some severe thunderstorm risk this evening. 2. A warm front lifts north through the region Thursday night into Friday, and then a strong cold front passes through this weekend with colder temperatures for the start of the new work week.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 1, 7:31 PM EDT, 3 hours 53 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
731 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
The main severe thunderstorm risk is mainly across portions of
Delmarva to far southern New Jersey.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
1. A cold front crosses the region through this evening. Showers
and some thunderstorms will accompany the front, with some severe
thunderstorm risk this evening.
2. A warm front lifts north through the region Thursday night
into Friday, and then a strong cold front passes through this
weekend with colder temperatures for the start of the new work
week.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...A cold front crosses the region through this evening.
Showers and some thunderstorms will accompany the front, with
some severe thunderstorm risk this evening.
The region remains embedded within modestly enhanced southwesterly
flow aloft. A belt of 50 kt 500 mb winds will shift eastward
over the region this evening. At the surface, a cold front
continues to settle southward. It will cross the region this
evening before stalling near Delmarva on Thursday.
MLCAPE of 500-1000 J/kg from near Philadelphia southward with
the highest values in Delmarva. 0-6 km Bulk Shear values of
30-40 kt are in place. Some convection sliding across Delmarva
has shown some strengthening. The greatest DCAPE is across
parts of Delmarva to far southern New Jersey. A few stronger
convective cores could be severe this evening with locally
damaging winds the main threat. The severe risk is highest over
Delmarva to far southern NJ due to the overlap of the greatest
instability and also DCAPE. The severe threat diminishes
significantly north of the southward advancing cold front.
Some lingering showers should then occur through much of the
night in the wake of the front. Low temperatures are expected to
be in the 40s for most of the region, with 50s in Delmarva
where the front will move through the latest.
A much colder airmass is anticipated to settle southward
overnight and especially on Thursday in the wake of the front,
though if the front stalls over southern portions of the area a
tight temperature gradient will exist near it. Highs are
generally expected to be in the 40s to mid 50s across most of
eastern PA and NJ, with 60s in portions of Delaware and the
Eastern Shore of Maryland depending on where exactly the front
sets up.
KEY MESSAGE 2...A warm front lifts north through the region
Thursday night into Friday, and then a strong cold front passes
through this weekend with colder temperatures for the start of
the new work week.
Strong low pressure over the Midwest Thursday evening will lift
to the northeast into the Upper Great Lakes and the southeast
portion of the Province of Ontario Thursday night and Friday
morning. This will pull the stationary boundary south of the
area north as a warm front, and this warm front should clear the
northern zones by midday Friday or so. Some light rain is
possible with its passage, and with increasing low level
moisture, there may be some patchy fog. The low over southern
Canada passes through eastern Canada Friday and Friday night.
Strong warm air advection will be underway for Friday and
Saturday with temperatures returning to well above normal
levels. Highs will top off in the 70s to low 80s both days.
A new area of low pressure organizes and develops over the
Midwest Friday and Friday night. This low lifts towards the
Great Lakes and southern central Canada Saturday and Saturday
night. Another warm front lifts north through the region, and
this may touch off some showers and perhaps a thunderstorm
Saturday afternoon and Saturday night.
As low pressure continues to track to the north and east,
passing through southern Canada, it will drag a strong cold
front through the region on Sunday. Widespread showers, perhaps
a few thunderstorms, will develop with its passage. The showers
should knock temperatures down by some 10 degrees or so compared
to Saturday, as highs will be in the 60s to around 70.
Strong cold air advection develops behind the passage of the
front Sunday night. Highs will only be in the mid to upper 50s
for most of the area, and in the upper 40s in the southern
Poconos, Monday and Tuesday. These temperatures are several
degrees below normal for this time of the year.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
The following discussion is for KPHL, KPNE, KTTN, KABE, KRDG,
KILG, KMIV, KACY and surrounding areas.
Tonight....VFR ceilings expand then lower to MVFR. Ceilings are
expected to lower to IFR overnight from south to north. Some
showers and thunderstorms from west to east through about 05z,
then some showers should linger overnight. The greatest chance
for some thunderstorms looks to be from about the PHL metro area
on southward. Winds becoming north to northeast around 10 knots,
with some gusts 15-20 knots especially overnight. Low confidence.
Thursday...IFR ceilings may improve to MVFR. A few showers possible
especially through the morning, and some drizzle cannot be ruled
out. East-northeast winds 10-15 knots with some gusts 20-25 knots.
Low confidence.
Outlook...
Thursday night...Sub-VFR likely in low stratus, BR, and DZ.
Friday through Friday night...Primarily VFR.
Saturday through Saturday night...Primarily VFR, but sub-VFR
possible in any SHRA.
Sunday through Sunday night...Sub-VFR in SHRA and/or TSRA.
Monday...VFR expected.
&&
.MARINE...
Small Craft Advisory for the northern to central Atlantic
coastal waters of New Jersey through Thursday evening. Seas are
still elevated across the northern waters but are slowly
subsiding this evening, then a wind shift out of the north and
northeast occurs through tonight and increases with some gusts
up to 30 knots and seas building again.
Some thunderstorms could bring gusty winds and reduced visibilities
this evening.
Outlook...
Thursday night...SCA conditions likely, mostly for elevated
seas on the New Jersey ocean waters. Sub-SCA conditions
elsewhere.
Friday through Friday night...A period of SCA conditions
possible Friday afternoon and evening as winds ramp up and seas
build to around 5 feet.
Saturday through Saturday night...Sub-SCA conditions Saturday,
then SCA conditions likely Saturday night
Sunday through Sunday night...SCA conditions likely with a
brief period of gale force winds possible Sunday afternoon.
Winds diminish to sub-SCA levels Sunday night, but seas remain
elevated. Visibility restrictions in showers expected.
Monday...Sub-SCA conditions likely.
&&
.PHI WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...None.
NJ...None.
DE...None.
MD...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until midnight EDT Thursday night for
ANZ450>452.
&&
DISCUSSION...Cooper/Gorse/MPS
AVIATION...Cooper/Gorse/MPS
MARINE...Cooper/Gorse/MPSHazardous weather outlook, Apr 1, 5:07 AM EDT, 18 hours 17 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ 507 AM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026 MDZ012-015-019-020-020915- Kent MD-Queen Annes-Talbot-Caroline- 507 AM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Maryland. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Isolated strong to severe storms are possible this afternoon and evening with the primary threat being damaging wind gusts. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Hazardous weather is not expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
In the hours before
Local storm report, Apr 1, 7:55 PM EDT, 3 hours 29 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
755 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0739 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 N Smyrna 39.32N 75.61W
04/01/2026 M41 MPH New Castle DE Dept of Highways
DelDOT station at DEMA EOC.
&&
StaarmannLocal storm report, Apr 1, 8:40 PM EDT, 2 hours 44 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
840 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0815 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 WSW Stow Creek Twp 39.44N 75.38W
04/01/2026 M44 MPH Cumberland NJ Mesonet
NJWxNet Mesonet station Greenwich.
&&
StaarmannLocal storm report, Apr 1, 9:15 PM EDT, 2 hours 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
915 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0730 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Clayton 39.30N 75.63W
04/01/2026 Kent DE 911 Call Center
Tree down onto a house in the Clayton Courts
neighborhood. Time estimated from radar.
&&
StaarmannLocal storm report, Apr 1, 9:17 PM EDT, 2 hours 7 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
917 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0730 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Clayton 39.29N 75.63W
04/01/2026 Kent DE 911 Call Center
Several reports of large trees and power
lines down in Clayton. Time estimated from
radar.
&&
StaarmannLocal storm report, Apr 1, 9:18 PM EDT, 2 hours 6 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
918 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0734 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Smyrna 39.30N 75.60W
04/01/2026 Kent DE 911 Call Center
Several reports of large trees and power
lines down in Smyrna. Time estimated from
radar.
&&
StaarmannLocal storm report, Apr 1, 9:23 PM EDT, 2 hours 1 minute before
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
923 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0730 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Clayton 39.29N 75.63W
04/01/2026 Kent DE 911 Call Center
Several reports of large trees and power
lines down in Clayton. Time estimated from
radar.
0730 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Clayton 39.30N 75.63W
04/01/2026 Kent DE 911 Call Center
Tree down onto a house in the Clayton Courts
neighborhood. Time estimated from radar.
0734 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Smyrna 39.30N 75.60W
04/01/2026 Kent DE 911 Call Center
Several reports of large trees and power
lines down in Smyrna. Time estimated from
radar.
0735 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 SW Clayton 39.28N 75.65W
04/01/2026 M42 MPH Kent DE Mesonet
Wunderground station KDECLAYT7.
0739 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 N Smyrna 39.32N 75.61W
04/01/2026 M41 MPH New Castle DE Dept of Highways
DelDOT station at DEMA EOC.
0745 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 N Smyrna 39.32N 75.61W
04/01/2026 M41 MPH New Castle DE Mesonet
Wudnerground station KDESMYRN24.
0815 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 WSW Stow Creek Twp 39.44N 75.38W
04/01/2026 M44 MPH Cumberland NJ Mesonet
NJWxNet Mesonet station Greenwich.
&&
StaarmannThe office that day
Everything else NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 1, 11:27 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PHI | Kent, Sussex | 33 min |
| Apr 1, 11:46 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | PHI | Sussex | 14 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Delaware, 2026Every 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.