Winter can be either delightful or a tad bit worrisome and Delawareans are pretty divided on their feelings. Some of us can’t wait for the crisp, cold air and peaceful snowfalls. Others have been counting down the days ’til spring since summer ended. Where do you fall on the spectrum of winter lovers and winter haters? Regardless of your personal snowfall convictions, chances are you clearly remember the “Snowmageddon” storms of February 2010 and the largest snowfall in Delaware history.

February of 2010 is a month that no Delawarean will ever forget. On the night of the 5th, a blizzard whipped into the peninsula, determined to leave its mark. This was the largest snowfall in Delaware!
Facebook / The Delaware Contemporary
As the snow fell and fell, nobody could believe what they were seeing.
Flickr / Jeffrey
All previous snowfall records were smashed by the storm that hit on February 5th and 6th. 24 inches of snow fell in Kent County, New Castle saw 26 inches, and Sussex County saw 21 inches. Previous snowfall records for the state did not top 19 inches, so each county blew that away.
By the time the snow removal had begun and the power lines were being repaired, another blizzard came roaring in.
Flickr / Jeffrey
The storm of February 9th and 10th did not drop nearly as much snow, but an additional 5-10 inches fell, depending on the location. All told, most of the First State saw 30 inches of snow land on their lawns in less than a week.
Rural neighborhoods were cut off for days, either due to snow-covered roads or widespread power outages.
Flickr / Cassandra Leigh Grotto
More than 86,000 Delawareans were without power, and utility crews from several states arrived to help restore power to the state.

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Those of us in the city weren't too lucky, either. Cars were buried, the power was out, and public transit was suffering.
Flickr / TCDavis
About 400 members of the Delaware National Guard were activated, and over 150 National Guard vehicles worked to rescue and transport desperate and trapped Delawareans. The Delaware Emergency Management Agency was staffed and working around the clock from February 5th through Valentine's Day.
Snow removal turned out to be a big problem in Dover. By March, the soccer fields were still blocked by piles of relocated snow!
Flickr / Mike Mahaffie
Snow was dumped near the entrance to Schutte Park, specifically. When spring came around in March, there was still a mountain of icy sludge blocking the way. Eventually, Dover had to bring in front-end loaders to relocate the snow again.
There was nowhere to put the snow in the city, so sidewalks remained half-cleared, with mountains of snow emerging along the curb.
Flickr / TCDavis
Luckily, the first storm hit on a Friday. Still, with over two feet of snow dropped in one quick storm, the city struggled to get back on its feet in time for the workweek. The second storm was a comedic blow to everyone who had worked to get their offices running and parking lots cleared.
Days later, all of Delaware looked like a winter wonderland.
Flickr / TCDavis
Sure, it was gorgeous, but it was an expensive storm! Both blizzards combined cost the state almost $9 million.

Do you remember the Snowmaggedon of 2010? Can you believe it was the largest snowfall in Delaware?

Share any photos you snapped with us in our Delaware Nature Lovers Facebook group!

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Largest Snowfall In Delaware

Marisa Roman | October 19, 2021

What will winter be like in Delaware this year?

Winter in Delaware can fluctuate depending on the year. While some winters can be milder, with fewer storms and minimal snowfall, other winters can dump buckets of white at any given moment. This year, according to the Farmer’s Almanac, Delaware can expect to see a cold, snowy winter. In fact, the Almanac, which uses a unique astronomical and mathematical formula for annual predictions, even advised residents to keep an eye out for unusually wet weather, too. So get out those rain boots AND snow boots, folks!

Should I go hiking in winter in Delaware?

Don’t let the snow in Delaware get you down. Some find the snowy conditions and the peaceful pauses in nature as the perfect time to go hiking! Don’t let the snow get you down - sometimes hiking in wintertime can be the most magical time to get out into nature. Sure, you’ll need to bundle up a bit more and get some heavier boots, but picture traipsing through the snowfall, just you and nature, and the glistening sun off of the freshly fallen snow. Sounds pretty dreamy, right? Check out these winter hikes in Delaware that will surely get you in the mood to hike.

Is Delaware a good place to visit in the winter?

Depending on who you ask, Delaware in the wintertime can be an enjoyable experience. For anyone who wants the chance to get away for a weekend to a quiet state with tons of natural beauty, this is the place to do it. Despite Delaware being a small state, it still packs a punch in terms of fun attractions during the wintertime. Visit the coastal towns that are just as charming during the off-season as they are in summer. Who wouldn’t want to have an entire beach to themselves?!

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