The first winter storm of the season dropped four to eight inches of snow across most of Delaware with slightly lower amounts across the immediate coast. In many places this was more snow than fell all of last winter. The snow began falling shortly after midnight on the 5th and fell at its heaviest during the first half of the morning in the southern half of the state and throughout the morning in the northern half of the state. Warmer air moving in from the Atlantic changed the snow to sleet and freezing rain during the morning in Sussex County and then to plain rain by the afternoon. In Kent County, the snow changed to sleet and freezing rain during the second half of the morning and a wintry mix persisted for the rest of the event. Precipitation fell as snow in New Castle County.  Precipitation ended during the evening. The first winter storm of the season which also coincided with a work day (Thursday) caused hundreds of accidents. In New Castle County, there were 110 accidents by 1230 p.m. EST on the 5th. Eight of them caused injuries. Another 40 vehicles were stuck in snow or ditches. The worst accident occurred about 800 a.m. EST when a 15 vehicle crash occurred on Mount Lebanon Road in Brandywine Hundred. A bus crashed into a wall and blocked the road. The crash then triggered a 14 vehicle chain reaction accident. The road was closed for six hours. The two largest employers in the county (Dupont and MBNA) let their employees leave early. Statewide many schools never opened. Schools along the shore were on two hour delayed openings. In Kent County, there were 59 reported accidents on state roads. Stores closed in Dover. The racing card at Dover Downs was canceled and the Salvation Army opened its shelters to the homeless. A few people were treated for slip and fall accidents around Dover. Non-essential state workers were permitted to stay home and did not have to report to work until 10 a.m. EST on the 6th. In Sussex County, there were 22 reported accidents and about 50 disabled (in ditches) vehicles. Specific accumulations included 8 inches in Wilmington (New Castle County), 7 inches in Newark (New Castle County),6.8 inches at the New Castle County Airport, 6.5 inches in Dover and Smyrna (Kent County), 6 inches in Georgetown (Sussex County), 5 inches in Blade (Sussex County), 4.5 inches in Seaford, Greenwood and Bridgeville (Sussex County) and 4 inches in Lincoln (Sussex County). The low pressure system responsible for the winter storm formed over Texas on the 3rd and moved eastnortheast and reached Louisiana the morning of the 4th, Cape Hatteras the morning of the 5th and then accelerated quickly offshore during the day on the 5th.

Heavy Snow in NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE
From 05-DEC-02 02:00:00 to 05-DEC-02 22:30:00 (EST)
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Winter Storm in KENT, DELAWARE
From 05-DEC-02 02:00:00 to 05-DEC-02 20:00:00 (EST)
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Winter Storm in INLAND SUSSEX, DELAWARE
From 05-DEC-02 02:00:00 to 05-DEC-02 12:00:00 (EST)
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Winter Weather in DELAWARE BEACHES, DELAWARE
From 05-DEC-02 02:00:00 to 05-DEC-02 09:00:00 (EST)
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC