Heavy snow begins falling Sunday night and continues into early Monday. Forecasters predict widespread accumulations of a foot or more across Delaware and neighboring states. Some spots could see 2 feet by the end of the event.

The National Weather Service defines a blizzard warning for conditions with large amounts of snow or blowing snow, winds over 35 mph and visibility under a quarter-mile lasting at least three hours. Strong gusts can whip up already-fallen snow into blizzard status, even without fresh heavy snowfall or bitter cold.

Delaware’s split warnings highlight the storm’s intensity. Kent and Sussex counties meet blizzard criteria. New Castle, more urban, gets the lesser winter storm label. Winter storm warnings signal heavy snow—6 inches in 12 hours or 8 inches in 24 hours—possibly mixed with half an inch of sleet.

Officials also issue ice storm warnings for a quarter-inch of ice buildup. Watches come 24 to 48 hours ahead when threats to life and property loom with 50% odds. A blizzard watch flags potential for those low-visibility, high-wind blasts.

Advisories warn of significant inconveniences that could turn hazardous without caution. They cover snow from 3 to 5 inches per hour, up to half an inch of sleet, freezing rain with snow or sleet, or blowing snow. Freezing rain advisories trigger at a quarter-inch accumulation.

This system tracks as a classic Nor’easter. Such storms hug the East Coast, brewing between Georgia and New Jersey roughly 100 miles offshore. They track northeast, peaking near New England and the Canadian Maritimes from September through April. Expect heavy precipitation—rain or snow—plus gale-force winds, rough surf and occasional coastal flooding.

Snow totals vary wildly across Delaware, with huge spreads between low and high forecasts. Wilmington faces 0.5 to 28 inches, most likely 12 inches. Middletown: 1 to 26 inches, expected 11 inches. Smyrna: 1 to 28 inches, expected 12 inches. Dover: 1 to 31 inches, expected 12 inches. Milford: 1 to 30 inches, expected 11 inches. Georgetown: 1 to 28 inches, expected 11 inches. Seaford: 1 to 27 inches, expected 10 inches. Bethany Beach: 0.5 to 23 inches, expected 8 inches.

Residents should prepare now. The Mayo Clinic urges safe shoveling practices to avoid heart strain during cleanup. Warm up first. Pace yourself. Push snow, don’t lift it. Use ergonomic tools. Stay hydrated. Stop if you feel dizzy or short of breath.

Travel will turn treacherous Sunday night. Winds amplify dangers with whiteout conditions in blizzard zones. Power outages loom from heavy wet snow snapping lines. Coastal areas brace for flooding atop the snowpack.

Officials in Delaware activated emergency operations centers Saturday. Schools closed Monday. Major highways like I-95 and U.S. 13 will see plows round-the-clock. Stock up on essentials: water, non-perishables, medications, batteries, blankets.

The term ‘blizzard’ dates to the 1870s. An Iowa newspaper repurposed it from slang for cannon fire to describe brutal snow blasts. Low visibility remains the hallmark, not just snowfall rates.

Forecasters refined predictions overnight. Upper-end totals now possible in open fields away from the moderating coast. Urban heat islands in Wilmington may shave a few inches off peaks there.

Stay tuned to local alerts. Conditions evolve fast with these systems. The National Weather Service will update totals as radar paints the picture Sunday.