Delaware, 1996

Heat in Delaware, May 19 to 21, 1996

May 19 to 21, 1996 · NWS PHI · 4 events in 4 counties and zones

The first and for many locations the only heat wave of the season occurred during the end of May. For many locations this heat wave contained the hottest temperatures of the year.

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.

The first and for many locations the only heat wave of the season occurred during the end of May. For many locations this heat wave contained the hottest temperatures of the year. No heat related deaths or injuries were reported. But the heat cracked both southbound lanes of Interstate 95 near the Pennsylvania border. The excessive heat caused the Pennsylvania New Jersey Interconnection Association (PMJ) of 10 Mid Atlantic Utilities (Including Delmarva Power and Light) to institute a 5 percent cutback in power usage. Demand was about 33 percent above normal. The hottest day was the 20th when record high temperatures were set. Hottest temperatures during this heat wave included 101F at Georgetown, 100F at Odessa, 99F at Lewes and 96F at both Prices Corner and the New Castle County Airport.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 heat. Local standard time, as filed.

Heat, New Castle

When
May 19, 10:00 AM EST to May 21, 10:00 PM EST
Where
New Castle forecast zone
Coordinates
39.578, -75.639 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Kent

When
May 19, 10:00 AM EST to May 21, 10:00 PM EST
Where
Kent forecast zone
Coordinates
39.096, -75.505 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Inland Sussex

When
May 19, 10:00 AM EST to May 21, 10:00 PM EST
Where
Inland Sussex forecast zone
Coordinates
38.683, -75.339 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Delaware Beaches

When
May 19, 10:00 AM EST to May 21, 10:00 PM EST
Where
Delaware Beaches forecast zone
Coordinates
38.683, -75.339 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Heat
Heat below excessive heat criteria that still caused deaths, injuries or significant impacts.

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, May 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: 5560417, 5560418, 5560419, 5560420.