DELMARVA - Tranquil weather will continue along Delaware’s coast through early Tuesday, but a change is on the horizon as a storm system begins to make its way toward the Mid-Atlantic by late Tuesday night.
During the day Tuesday, residents and visitors to beach towns such as Lewes, Dewey Beach, and Fenwick Island can expect dry conditions with partly sunny skies and a gradual increase in high clouds by the afternoon. Temperatures will be seasonably mild, reaching the upper 60s to low 70s. Winds will be lighter than earlier in the week, with a gentle northerly breeze adding a crisp feel to the coastal air.
By Tuesday evening, cloud cover will thicken across Sussex County ahead of a developing low-pressure system tracking east from the Great Lakes. This system is expected to bring widespread rainfall to the region overnight. Rain will begin moving in from the west and spread across the coastal areas through the early morning hours of Wednesday.
As the low intensifies off the Mid-Atlantic coast, rain will become more persistent, with moderate to heavy periods possible before dawn on Wednesday. East to northeast winds will also strengthen overnight, especially near the beaches, where gusts could reach up to 30 to 35 mph by early Wednesday morning. These increasing winds are the result of a tightening pressure gradient between the offshore low and high pressure to the north.
Temperatures overnight will stay relatively steady, with lows hovering in the low to mid-50s thanks to the blanket of clouds and moist air moving in. The early Wednesday morning commute may be impacted by ponding on roadways and poor visibility due to steady rain and breezy conditions.
While significant flooding is not expected, minor nuisance flooding and water pooling in low-lying or poorly drained areas remain possible. The Weather Prediction Center has placed the region under a Marginal Risk for excessive rainfall.
Residents should prepare for a wet and breezy start to Wednesday, with umbrellas and rain gear likely needed for much of the day.
