UPDATE: Blizzard warning issued for Kent County; up to 24 inches expected as storm bears down Delmarva

The National Weather Service has cancelled a winter storm watch and instead issued a blizzard warning for 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6.
The new warning was issued at 1:43 p.m. Feb. 4.

A storm developing Feb. 4 over the Gulf of Mexico will continue up the eastern seaboard during the day and nighttime hours.

Snowfall totals of 12 to 18 inches now are expected along the Delaware and New Jersey coasts and with 24 inches possible over southern New Jersey and central Delmarva.

Strengthening winds Friday and Saturday will create blowing and drifting snow, reducing visibility to less than one-quarter mile.

A blizzard warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected with falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibility. Whiteout conditions are possible, making travel extremely dangerous.

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Forecasters with the National Weather Service are predicting more than a foot of snow to fall on Kent County beginning Friday afternoon.

Gary Szatkowski, chief meteorologist with the Philadelphia/Mount Holly N.J., weather office said people in the county should be prepared for a major storm involving large amounts of snow and high winds.

As of noon Feb. 4, the National Weather Service is predicting between 13 and 15 inches of snow to fall on central Delaware beginning at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5 and continuing through 7 p.m. Saturday. The NWS also issued a winter storm watch for the county, to be effective Friday afternoon.

Winds speeds of between 20 to 25 mph are expected, with gusts possible up to 35 mph, Szatkowski said. Wind chills will be between 12 and 18 mph, he added.

“We’re trying to give people between 24 and 48 hours notice to try to prepare,” Szatkowski said.

And Kent Countians seem to be taking the message to heart.

Frank Palicka, general manager of Rommel’s Ace Hardware on Route 8, said his store is stocking up on bags of rock salt and ice melt.

“We also had about 300 shovels come in on Wednesday, and they were gone in about two hours,” Palicka said. “I’ve got another 700 due in by noon Friday. I’m expecting a huge rush.

“We probably get a phone call every five minutes or so asking about snow shovels.”

Szatkowski applauds this level of readiness.

“We need people to be prepared,” he said. “Most times, heavy snow is not a life threatening event like a tornado, but it can be dangerous if your driving and conditions deteriorate. You don’t want to end up in a ditch.”

After the storm passes, however, area residents should not expect much relief.

Even though the clouds may be gone, temperatures probably will not get above freezing before Tuesday, Feb. 9, and that’s when another storm may hit.

Area residents appear to be taking news of the oncoming storm in stride, but admits that could change.

“Mostly, people are preparing,” he said. “There’s not a lot of panic yet, but I have a feeling once those snow shovels come off the truck, we’re gonna be mobbed.”

To keep track of weather conditions in the county, visit the NWS Philadelphia website at www.weather.gov/phi.

The site is updated every three hours.

Email Jeff Brown at jeff.brown@doverpost.com.