Delaware, 1996

Heavy Snow in Delaware, February 16 to 17, 1996

February 16 to 17, 1996 · NWS PHI · 4 events in 4 counties and zones

A low pressure system lingered over North Carolina on the 15th and developed quickly once it reached Cape Hatteras during the early morning of the 16th. It then moved northeast over the Western Atlantic and reached the Gulf of Maine the morning of the 17th.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 4 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
4

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS PHI wrote it up.

A low pressure system lingered over North Carolina on the 15th and developed quickly once it reached Cape Hatteras during the early morning of the 16th. It then moved northeast over the Western Atlantic and reached the Gulf of Maine the morning of the 17th. Its storm track was far enough offshore to keep cold air in place and to locate its axis of heavy snow over Delmar and New Jersey. The traditionally "snowier" places farther northwest received less snow.Snow began by dawn on the 16th with the significant accumulation over around midnight. Accumulations averaged around 8 inches and included 6 inches in Bridgeville, 7 inches in Georgetown, 8 inches in Lewes and New Castle County Airport and 9 inches in Dover. The eight inch accumulation at New Castle County Airport brought the seasonal snowfall accumulation to a RECORD BREAKING 53.8 inches. The seasonal total of 54 inches in Milford was also a new record. Unlike the previous snow storms this winter, this one's timing on the Friday of an upcoming three day weekend was not good. Numerous accidents occurred. Over 300 were reported statewide, 22 involving injuries by noon alone in New Castle County. A six car accident closed Interstate 95 for one hour in Wilmington. A six vehicle accident closed the southbound lanes of the Indian River Bridge for two hours and sent two people to the hospital. Other accidents temporarily closed Delaware State Route 141, Delaware State Route 1 and Interstate 495 north of Edgemoor. Several school districts closed for the day, most others released the children early. Malls and shopping plazas closed early. The gale force winds along the coast caused a one hour power outage in Bethany Beach. They also helped run aground the 55 foot vessel "Philadelphia" near Cape Henlopen the evening of the 16th.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Snow, New Castle

When
February 16, 6:00 AM EST to February 17, 1:00 AM EST
Where
New Castle forecast zone
Coordinates
39.578, -75.639 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Kent

When
February 16, 6:00 AM EST to February 17, 1:00 AM EST
Where
Kent forecast zone
Coordinates
39.096, -75.505 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Inland Sussex

When
February 16, 6:00 AM EST to February 17, 1:00 AM EST
Where
Inland Sussex forecast zone
Coordinates
38.683, -75.339 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Snow, Delaware Beaches

When
February 16, 6:00 AM EST to February 17, 1:00 AM EST
Where
Delaware Beaches forecast zone
Coordinates
38.683, -75.339 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Heavy Snow
Snowfall reaching the local warning threshold without the other hazards of a winter storm.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Delaware in 1996Every state in 1996This day in weather historyWarnings in Delaware, February 1996

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5551636, 5551637, 5551638, 5551639.