An impulse from the west coast traversed the midsection of the country, then developed into a low pressure system as it tracked across the Gulf states before intensifying along the Carolina coast into a major nor'easter, producing record or near record snowfall through a good part of Delaware. It then moved out to sea after passing by the mid-Atlantic coast early on January 24th.
Snow began falling during the mid afternoon hours on Friday, January 22nd, then continued, heavy at times, Friday night into early Sunday morning. Wind gusts up to 60 MPH produced near-blizzard conditions as visibilities dropped to one-quarter mile or less in spots. Some representative snowfall totals include: 16.3 inches in Talleyville, 14.8 in Hockessin, 12.0 in Claymont, 11.2 in Prices Corner, and 10.5 in Newport, all in New Castle County.  In Kent County, reports include 17.2 inches in Woodside, 14.8 in Harrington,  14.2 in Dover, 12.0 in Magnolia, and 9.7 in Smyrna.  In Sussex County, reports include 8.8 in Laurel, 7.8 near Georgetown, 7.0 in Seaford, 5.2 in Bethany Beach, 4.2 in Milton, and 3.0 in Rehoboth Beach.
Some wind gusts include 75 MPH at 0735EST on the 23rd in Dewey Beach, 64 MPH at 0512EST on the 23rd at Sussex County Airport in Georgetown, 50 MPH at 0730EST on the 23rd in Rehoboth Beach, and 53 MPH at 0551EST on the 23rd at New Castle County Airport.
A 44-year-old male from Magnolia (Kent County) died while shoveling snow around his home on January 23rd.
At one point during the storm, up to 117,000 customers were without power. Outages were concentrated closer to the coast where the strongest winds occurred.
The Delaware Department of Transportation spent approximately $3.5 million dollars to clear and maintain the state's highways and roadways.
Moderate to major flooding occurred along the Delaware coast and associated back bays during this event. Record flooding was recorded in many spots, including the ocean front at Lewes. Route 1 was closed between Dewey Beach and the Indian River Bridge due to flooding. Beach erosion was extensive, but property damage was minimal considering the record water levels during this event. Some damage was noted on the boardwalk on the north end of Rehoboth beach from Grenoble place to Surf avenue totaling from 150 to 400 K.  After viewing the beach areas, Governor Markell noted the importance of investments in beach replenishment and dunes in limiting damage in this storm. Sand dunes and Stormwater pipes were damaged as well and Delaware is looking for $2.5M in disaster relief. The day after the storm subsided, the Small Business Development Center extended an offer of free services to help businesses impacted by the storm to get up and running again, but a week after the storm, no businesses have taken the center up on the offer.  Damage estimates total $0.13 million in New Castle County, $0.553 million in Kent County, and $0.778 million in Sussex County.  These estimates do not include damage to beaches maintained by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, which include Dewey and Lewes Beaches.
Delaware Governor Jack Markell declared a State of Emergency beginning 5 PM Friday, January 22nd, which ended at midnight Sunday night. Schools and many businesses recessed early on Friday afternoon in anticipation of the storm.   On March 16t 2016, President Obama declared the state of Delaware a federal disaster area. This declaration makes federal funding available on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm.  Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.  This declaration does not provide funding for beach replenishment made necessary by erosion caused by the storm.
The combination of a strong onshore flow and high astronomical tides associated with a coincident full moon produced record tidal flooding along the Delaware coast and lower Delaware Bay during the morning high tide cycle on Saturday, January 23rd. The NOS gauge at Breakwater Harbor (Lewes) peaked at 9.27 feet MLLW at 812 AM.  This broke the previous record of 9.2 ft MLLW set on March 6, 1962.  A prolonged onshore flow through three consecutive tide cycles produced moderate flooding for the Saturday evening high tide, and minor flooding for the Sunday morning high tide.  This prolonged onshore flow also produced flooding in the back bay areas.

Winter Storm in NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE
From 22-JAN-16 14:00:00 to 24-JAN-16 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow began during the afternoon hours on Friday, January 22nd, and continued through the overnight hours, through Saturday, into Saturday night. Winds gusting over 35 mph late Friday night and Saturday reduced visibilities to under one-quarter mile at times.  Some snowfall totals include 16.3 inches in Talleyville, 16.1 inches at New Castle County Airport, 14.1 inches in Hockessin, 12.0 inches in Claymont, 10.5 inches in Newport, and 10.1 inches in Glasgow.

Winter Storm in KENT, DELAWARE
From 22-JAN-16 14:00:00 to 24-JAN-16 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow began during the afternoon hours on Friday, January 22nd, and continued through the overnight hours, through Saturday, into Saturday night. Winds gusting over 35 mph late Friday night and Saturday reduced visibilities to under one-quarter mile at times.  Some snowfall totals include 17.2 inches in Woodside, 14.8 inches in Harrington, 14.2 inches in Dover, 12.0 inches in Magnolia, 10.3 inches in Frederica, 9.7 inches in Smyrna, 9.0 inches near Milford, and 8.7 inches near Camden.

Winter Storm in INLAND SUSSEX, DELAWARE
From 22-JAN-16 14:00:00 to 24-JAN-16 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow began during the afternoon hours on Friday, January 22nd, and continued through the overnight hours, through Saturday, into Saturday night. Winds gusting over 45 mph late Friday night and Saturday reduced visibilities to under one-quarter mile at times.  Some snowfall totals include 8.8 inches in Laurel, 7.8 inches near Georgetown, 7.4 inches in Ellendale, 7.0 inches in Seaford, and 5.0 inches in Delmar.

Winter Storm in DELAWARE BEACHES, DELAWARE
From 22-JAN-16 14:00:00 to 24-JAN-16 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Rain began during the afternoon hours on Friday, January 22nd before changing to snow during the overnight hours, continuing through Saturday, into Saturday night. Winds gusting over 50 mph late Friday night and Saturday reduced visibilities to under one-quarter mile at times.  Some snowfall totals included 5.2 inches in Bethany Beach, 3.0 inches in Rehoboth Beach, and 2.6 inches in Lewes.
The prolonged onshore flow associated with this storm produced record flooding during the morning high tide cycle on January 23rd. The NOAA NOS gage near the Atlantic Coast at Lewes rose above 7.0 ft MLLW at 0632EST, peaked at 9.27 ft MLLW at 0812EST, and dropped below 7.0 ft MLLW at 1125EST. 7.0 ft MLLW is considered the lower threshold for moderate flooding in that area. The previous record flood at this gage occurred on March 6, 1962 when the water level reached 9.2 ft MLLW. Moderate flooding occurred again at Lewes during the evening high tide when the water level rose to 7.0 ft MLLW at 1906EST, peaked at 7.22 ft MLLW at 2124EST, and dropped below 7.0 ft MLLW at 2142EST. During the Sunday morning high tide cycle on January 24th, the water level rose to 7.0 feet MLLW at 0818EST, peaked at 7.07 ft MLLW at 0824EST, then dropped below 7.0 ft MLLW at 0854EST. Coastal towns experienced significant flooding due to the storm. Numerous dune breaches occurred along the Atlantic Coast, and low-lying communities around the inland bays experienced significant flooding as well. Dozens of residents were evacuated from the Long Neck and Oak Orchard areas, with high water and power outages hitting several bayside neighborhoods.