Snow ends in Delaware

Well, that didn't last long. At least, not in northern Delaware and along the region's stretch of I-95.

The big Thanksgiving snowstorm barely materialized here, the result of a freezing line of temperatures that grazed the state before unexpectedly retreating north. The result was a short spell of snow that morphed into a cold rain by early Wednesday afternoon.

And it's just about over, save for a couple periods of rain early this evening. "It was a little difficult to forecast," said Patrick O'Hara, a National Weather Service meteorologist, almost apologetically.

The heaviest snow fell in Hockessin and Greenville, which each recorded 1 inch, O'Hara said. Elsewhere in the northern part of New Castle County, no more than a half-inch fell, turning in many places quickly to slush.

NWS meteorologist Lance Franck called it "a typical early season snowstorm, where the ground isn't so cold, and the air temperature is warm at the beginning of the storm, and cooling down as the storm progresses." He said the higher accumulations would be in northwest New Jersey into eastern Pennsylvania, "closer to the cold air."

As such, those planning on traveling northwest on Thanksgiving Day to see family or friends could encounter significant traffic tieups. While the 1-2 inches expected to fall along I-95 in northern Cecil County, Maryland, northern Delaware, the Philadelphia area and into New Jersey was barely evident, snowfall totals were significantly higher farther into Pennsylvania, O'Hara said.

Montgomery County recorded up to 2 inches, while Elverson in Chester County recorded 5 inches. Allentown's high point was 6 inches, and 8 1/2 inches fell on Pocomo Summit, O'Hara said. Even light snowfall recorded by late morning, however, had slowed traffic "considerably" along I-78 in Allentown and further north on I-80, Franck said.

"Our recommendation is if you're traveling to the northwest, in order to reach your destination on time and in a safe manner, it's best to postpone the travel at this point," Franck said. "The temperature's going to be cooling down tonight, as well." By midnight, he said, the storm will have passed and crews will have a chance to clear at least the major highways.

Late travelers could find frozen road surfaces as well, he said. O'Hara said Wilmington and Dover should expect overnight lows of 30 degrees.Along the less-affected I-95 corridor, it was still slow going as the sun set Wednesday due to volume and wet conditions. DelDOT reported a 5-10-minute delay on northbound I-95 between Del. 1 and I-295. Officials lowered the speed limit on I-495 to 55 mph just past 12 noon. Many secondary roads in northern Delaware are slushy. DelDOT earlier said water was covering Prime Hook Road in Sussex County.

Philadelphia International Airport earlier issued a travel advisory, saying that inclement weather could impact operations Wednesday. Travelers are advised to check flight status before heading to the airport. Tom Kines, an AccuWeather meteorologist, said travelers should expect flight delays Wednesday in Philadelphia, Washington D.C., New York and Boston.

Thanksgiving Day will be chilly and cloudy, with a very slight chance of rain or snow showers and a high around 40, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures will gradually warm over the weekend, with a high of 53 forecast for Sunday.

Fourteen percent of Delaware residents expected to travel more than 50 miles from home this week.

"It is the busiest travel holiday of the year," said AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson Jana Tidwell . "Thanksgiving is a holiday when most people just want to get home, wherever home is."

Travel this week is projected to be up 3.9 percent from last year in Delaware, mostly because of gas prices that are 43 cents lower on average than a year ago, Tidwell said.

Tidwell said that, besides the usual winter supplies, motorists should create an emergency kit – flashlight with emergency batteries, jumper cables, a folding shovel, de-icer, extra gloves and hats to leave in the trunk.

"Now is the time," she said. "If you are traveling, especially Wednesday night, you could be stuck out there for hours in the residual traffic caused by the storm so to be able to have all that stuff in addition to non-perishable foods … could be life saving."