A winter storm is making its presence felt in the First State Thursday.
Snow is falling up and down the state, with the heaviest in Sussex County, which remains under a blizzard warning.
Already, close to 9 inches is being reported in some Sussex locations, including 7 inches in Rehoboth Beach and over 6 inches in Lewes and Bethany Beach.
The National Weather Service says 8 to 12 inches is possible there before the storm moves out Thursday afternoon.
Because of the conditions in Sussex County, Gov. John Carney has issued a Level 1 Driving Warning there immediately. A Level 1 Driving Warning means anyone operating a motor vehicle on Delaware roadways must exercise extra caution. Driving is not banned, but motorists are encouraged not to drive unless there is a significant safety, health or business reason to do so.
Kent and New Castle Counties have seen between 2-5 inches in some areas as of 1 p.m. Kent and New Castle both remain under Winter Storm warnings and the forecast calls for 5-8 inches in Kent and 4-6 inches in New Castle.
And over the next few hours, winds are expected to pick up throughout the state, creating blowing and drifting snow. Gusts could top 40 miles an hour in many places and 65 miles an hour by the beaches.
The storm is prompted closings and delayed openings around the state.
DART reports its bus routes in Sussex County are not operating. Bus routes and paratransit elsewhere in the state are operating with possible delays. Same with DART's statewide paratransit service, and the SEPTA Wilmington/Newark line is operating regular service.
