DELMARVA - Inland communities across Sussex County are in for a warm and breezy stretch from late Tuesday through late Wednesday. High temperatures Tuesday afternoon are expected to surge into the upper 70s to low 80s, aided by strong south-southwest winds sustained at 15–20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. The warm air advection will be noticeable, leading to unseasonably mild conditions.
Overnight into Wednesday, temperatures will remain mild, dipping only into the mid-50s to mid-60s. A cold front will slowly approach, but its timing suggests much of the inland region will stay relatively warm through Wednesday morning. High temperatures on Wednesday could remain slightly above normal, depending on how quickly the front progresses southward.
Although the main storm energy will remain to the north, a few weakening showers or isolated thunderstorms could brush inland Sussex County late Tuesday night into early Wednesday. Severe weather is not expected locally, but gusty winds may briefly accompany any showers that survive the trip from the west.
By late Wednesday, cooler and drier air will begin to filter into the area as high pressure builds behind the departing cold front.
In contrast to inland areas, the beaches of Sussex County — including Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island — will experience noticeably cooler and cloudier conditions beginning Tuesday evening. Although afternoon highs Tuesday will still reach the low to mid-70s, persistent south to southwest breezes off the cooler Atlantic waters will cap temperatures below those seen inland.
As moisture increases ahead of the cold front, beaches can expect thicker high clouds and perhaps some patchy fog Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Temperatures will be slower to drop overnight, with lows in the mid-60s.
On Wednesday, cloud cover will likely persist longer along the coast than inland. Depending on the timing of the cold front's passage, beach areas could remain stuck in the 60s to near 70 degrees for much of the day, with occasional breezy conditions continuing.
By late Wednesday into Thursday, drier air will arrive, leading to clearing skies and seasonable temperatures. However, beach communities will continue to feel slightly cooler compared to inland Sussex County as the cooler maritime influence lingers.