Updated 5:20 p.m. Sunday.
DOVER – The National Weather Service increased its snow projection to 8 to 12 inches for Kent and Sussex counties in Delaware.
The area, under a winter storm warning, should see snow begin to accumulate about 2 a.m. Monday.
Late Sunday afternoon, Delaware schools started announcing Monday closures.
In its morning briefing, 6-8 inches of snow were in the forecast. With its afternoon briefing Sunday, forecasters said they anticipated a shift to the storm’s path, increasing the chances of higher snow totals.
The National Weather Service summary said;
- Snow develops late tonight and early Monday morning, however ends for some areas in the afternoon then everywhere Monday night. Cold conditions will result in snow quickly accumulating to all untreated surfaces.
- Higher snowfall amounts south of the I-195 and PA Turnpike corridor (quicker drop off in amounts north of here), with the greatest totals across Delmarva and southern New Jersey.
- Band of heavier snow should develop across Delmarva and far southern New Jersey Monday morning with snowfall rates reaching or exceeding 1 inch per hour at times.
- Snow may mix with sleet, freezing rain and/or rain for a time Monday afternoon for portions of Delmarva and toward Cape May County, NJ. Where temperatures rise just above freezing in these areas, will then drop below freezing Monday evening with a change back to snow before ending resulting in icy conditions.
- North to northwest winds increase Monday night and Tuesday with gusts 30-45 mph, resulting in areas of blowing and drifting snow. Wind chill values will be in the single digits and teens.
- Temperatures below freezing for most of the region through most of this week with wind chills in the single digits at night.