As winter tightens its grip on the Northeast, residents from Delaware to Maine are bracing for a series of snowstorms that promise to disrupt routines, challenge travel plans, and test communities’ preparedness. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a patchwork of winter storm watches, warnings, and advisories across multiple states, underscoring the seriousness of the incoming weather and the need for vigilance over the weekend and into early next week.
In Delaware, a winter storm watch is now in effect from Sunday, February 22, 2026, into Monday, February 23, 2026, according to the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, New Jersey. The agency forecasts the bulk of the storm to hit Sunday night into early Monday, with widespread snowfall of five inches or more possible across the region. AccuWeather’s projections paint a detailed picture: towns like Middletown, Newark, Pike Creek, Prices Corner, Hockessin, Glasgow, and Blackbird could see three to six inches of snow, while Wilmington, Greenville, and Dover are expected to receive two to four inches. Meanwhile, Sussex County communities—including Georgetown, Rehoboth Beach, Seaford, Bethany Beach, Lewes, and Laurel—may be blanketed with four to eight inches, making for a potentially treacherous start to the week.
But what exactly does a winter storm watch mean? According to the NWS, a watch signals that conditions are favorable for a significant winter storm event that poses a threat to life or property. It’s typically issued about 24 hours before the expected event, when there’s at least a 50% chance of occurrence, though the timing and exact location may still be uncertain. If the situation escalates, the watch can be upgraded to a warning, which means severe weather is imminent or already happening and immediate action is required to protect life and property.
For Delaware residents, understanding these distinctions is more than academic. A winter storm advisory, for instance, indicates conditions that, while not as severe as a warning, could still significantly inconvenience daily life and become dangerous if caution isn’t exercised. Advisories might be issued for snow accumulations, sleet, freezing rain, or blowing snow that, if left unchecked, could create hazardous travel conditions or even threaten safety.
The NWS also highlights the threat posed by Nor’easters—powerful storms that typically develop along the East Coast between Georgia and New Jersey and intensify as they move northeastward. These systems often bring heavy precipitation and gale-force winds, with the potential for coastal flooding and widespread travel disruptions. While not every winter storm is a Nor’easter, the region’s current weather pattern is a reminder of how quickly conditions can deteriorate during this season.
Further north in South-Central Pennsylvania, the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch from 5 a.m. Sunday through 1 p.m. Monday, covering Adams, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York counties. The WGAL News 8 Storm Team has designated Sunday as an Impact Day, warning that the weather could disrupt daily schedules and routines. According to WGAL, snow is expected to develop early Sunday morning before dawn, intensify throughout the day, and taper off by 8 a.m. Monday. Most of the valley can expect two to five inches of snow, but far southern portions of York and Lancaster counties may see as much as five to eight inches.
Saturday, however, will offer a brief respite, with temperatures in the low to mid 40s and some sunshine in the afternoon. But as clouds thicken late in the day and the storm approaches, conditions will change rapidly. "If you’re watching us from Harrisburg, Lebanon, Lancaster County over towards Coatesville, visibility still down in some locations, but winds are picking up," WGAL reported, noting that visibility should improve as breezes develop overnight. By early Sunday, snow will start to accumulate, especially in eastern communities, with the heaviest bands expected Sunday evening into the overnight hours. Roads may transition from wet to slushy and, after sunset, to fully snow-covered, making travel increasingly hazardous.
WGAL meteorologists emphasize the importance of knowing the difference between a watch and a warning. "A watch means ingredients are in place for severe weather to develop. This means severe weather could happen, and you should have a plan ready in case severe weather develops later in the day. A warning means severe weather is happening, and you need to take action now to protect yourself, others and your property." This distinction is crucial for families and businesses preparing for the storm, as conditions can change quickly and unexpectedly.
Forecast confidence is high regarding the storm’s timing, but there’s still some uncertainty around total snow accumulations, particularly due to the possibility of rain mixing with snow and the precise track of the storm. Meteorologists caution that these factors could lead to last-minute adjustments in snowfall predictions, so staying updated with the latest forecasts is essential.
Meanwhile, in Maine, residents are already contending with snowy conditions. The National Weather Service has continued a winter storm warning for interior areas of York County until 7 a.m. Saturday, February 21. Winter weather advisories are also in effect for a broad swath of the state, including Cumberland, Androscoggin, Oxford, Kennebec, Sagadahoc, Franklin, Lincoln, Knox, and Waldo counties, as well as coastal areas of York County and several counties in New Hampshire. Snow moved into western Maine late Friday afternoon and spread eastward through the evening commute, with snowfall rates approaching an inch per hour in some areas. Roads quickly turned snow-covered and slippery, prompting cities like Portland to issue parking bans and even causing the Maine Principals’ Association to move up the start times for high school basketball regional championship games.
By Saturday morning, light snow will linger before ending around midday, followed by highs in the upper 20s to mid-30s. Maine’s Total Weather team, which has been recognized as the most accurate in the Portland market for nine years running, is already tracking another system for Sunday night into Monday. While the next storm is expected to deliver only a glancing blow—generally an inch or less of snow for most of southern Maine—forecasters warn that a slight shift in the storm’s track could bring heavier snow and gusty winds, especially to coastal areas. "Confidence remains moderate to high in a low-end event, but Maine's Total Weather will be watching new model runs closely for any northwest shifts in the track this weekend," WMTW reported.
For many across the Northeast, the coming days will demand flexibility and caution. From Delaware’s coastal towns to Pennsylvania’s valleys and Maine’s snow-laden roads, the region’s winter weather will test not only the plows and salt trucks but also the patience and preparedness of its people. As always, staying informed and heeding warnings from local authorities and trusted meteorologists will be the key to weathering the storm safely.
By Monday, as snow tapers off and temperatures begin to climb back toward seasonal averages, communities will emerge from the latest round of winter’s challenges—perhaps a little more weary, but certainly more weather-wise.