A brief but notable return to cold weather is expected across the Delmarva region midweek, with freezing temperatures likely Wednesday morning and additional frost concerns into Thursday.
A strong Canadian high pressure system will build into the Northeast following a cold front on Tuesday, allowing a surge of cold, dry air to settle over the region Tuesday night through Wednesday night. This setup will promote ideal radiational cooling conditions, with clear skies and light winds allowing temperatures to drop significantly by early Wednesday morning.
Most areas across Delmarva are expected to fall into the low to mid 30s closer to the coast, with upper 20s to low 30s further inland. There is a 50 to 60 percent chance that temperatures reach or drop below freezing, marking the coldest point of this stretch.
This timing is particularly important as the growing season is now active across much of Delmarva, with the exception of New Castle County, Delaware. That means sensitive vegetation and early agricultural interests could be vulnerable to damage from freezing temperatures. Despite the cold, the air mass will be quite dry, which should limit widespread frost formation Wednesday morning. However, a hard freeze alone can still have impacts regardless of frost presence.
We are monitoring the situation closely, and Freeze Warnings may be issued as confidence continues to increase in sub-freezing temperatures.
By Thursday morning, temperatures will remain chilly but trend slightly warmer as the center of high pressure shifts offshore. Lows are expected to hover closer to the freezing mark for many locations. With a modest increase in low-level moisture compared to Wednesday, patchy frost may develop, especially in more sheltered inland areas. This could lead to the need for Frost Advisories.
The cold snap will be short-lived. A warming trend begins Friday, with temperatures climbing well above freezing and continuing into the weekend, bringing more seasonable spring conditions back to the region.
Residents across Delmarva are encouraged to take precautions to protect sensitive plants ahead of Wednesday morning, as this will likely be the most impactful period for freezing temperatures.
