Delaware was transformed by a run of late‑winter storms that left snow and ice across the state, producing scenes from the Brandywine to the Atlantic shore and prompting local crews to plow and clear travel routes.
Pictures capture weeks of wintry conditions
Photographs taken across Delaware this winter show heavy snowfalls, sleet and freezing conditions that coated neighborhoods, parks and downtown streets. Images include residents and visitors navigating icy park paths, municipal crews clearing downtown Wilmington, and the usually busy Rehoboth Beach boardwalk blanketed in snow.
Among the scenes: people crossing the swimming bridge over the Brandywine in Brandywine Park following the Feb. 23 storm; the Midtown Brandywine neighborhood under snow and ice on Jan. 28; and a quiet Sugar Bowl in Brandywine Park late in the afternoon on Jan. 28.
Local impacts and conditions recorded
Photographers from the Delaware News Journal and contributors documented a range of conditions and locations across the state. Specific observations from the photo collection include:
- Wilmington: Snow and ice in Midtown Brandywine and downtown, with images dated Jan. 18, Jan. 26, Jan. 28 and Feb. 23.
- Brandywine Park: Visitors and landmarks like the Sugar Bowl were shown under snow during late January and February events.
- Rockford Park: A frigid day on Feb. 1 produced temperatures between 13 and 25 degrees Fahrenheit with winds of 14 to 25 mph, and images showed sledding and icy snow.
- Smyrna: Wheatleys Pond Road (Route 300) and Smyrna‑Clayton Boulevard (Route 6) were plowed and passable at about 8 a.m. on Feb. 23.
- Rehoboth Beach: Snow on the boardwalk was documented Jan. 25, demonstrating how coastal areas were also affected.
- Milford area: Snow geese were photographed near Milford on Feb. 8.
Photographers credited in the collection include William Bretzger, Damian Giletto, Benjamin Chambers, Gee Johnson and Shannon Marvel McNaught, among others.
Travel and municipal response
Images of plowed roads in Kent and New Castle county show that municipal and state crews responded to storm conditions to keep key arteries open. The note that Route 300 and Route 6 in the Smyrna area were plowed and passable by early morning Feb. 23 provides a snapshot of road‑clearing progress during that event.
Downtown Wilmington photos show workers clearing snow on Feb. 23, and other images recorded vehicles parked or waiting for melt‑off following heavy accumulations. Grave markers in the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery were shown beneath a crust of ice along Delaware Avenue in late January, illustrating how the storms affected public spaces.
Recreation and wildlife
Not all images reflected disruption. Park scenes show children sledding and visitors navigating winter landscapes, while a photo of snow geese near Milford on Feb. 8 highlights how wildlife appears in seasonal photographs.
| Date | Location | Notable detail |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 23, 2026 | Brandywine Park / Wilmington | People crossing swimming bridge; downtown snow clearing |
| Jan. 28, 2026 | Midtown Brandywine / Wilmington | Neighborhood coated with snow and ice |
| Feb. 1, 2026 | Rockford Park / Wilmington | Temps 13–25°F; winds 14–25 mph; sledding |
| Jan. 25, 2026 | Rehoboth Beach boardwalk | Snow along the coast |
| Feb. 8, 2026 | Near Milford | Snow geese photographed |
What residents should keep in mind
Photographs of plowed roadways and cleared downtown streets indicate that public works efforts were active during the storms, but images of icy patches and heavy snow also serve as reminders of remaining hazards during winter weather:
- Drive cautiously on treated roadways; shaded areas and bridges can remain icy long after plowing.
- Allow extra time for clearing walkways and steps to prevent slips and falls.
- Take care when visiting parks and coastal areas; winter conditions can make surfaces uneven and cold winds increase hypothermia risk.
The photo collection offers a statewide visual record of Delaware’s winter weather through late January and February, documenting how communities, municipal crews and wildlife experienced the season’s storms.
— State correspondent
