Direct hits by major hurricanes on Delaware are not common, except for events such as the Tropical Storm Debby and Superstorm Sandy in the past. A big part of this is due to the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Delaware being too cold. According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to form a tropical cyclone it needs at least 80°F water temperature. The waters off Delaware tend to peak in the mid-70s, though it has gotten as warm as 80 degrees by Labor Day. Or early September, depending.
As of this week, water temperatures are 71°F at Fenwick Beach and 71°F at Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, and Bethany Beach. Thus less likely for hurricanes to strengthen or make landfall in Delaware.
Officially, the Atlantic hurricane season ends on 30 November, although this period does peak from August to late September. October is also not a total impossibility; history has shown that major hurricanes are also spawned in this month. The number of names retired in September stands at 43, while October is close behind with 20. Even though storms are relatively few in November, seven storm names have been retired in that month, and it suggests Delaware should be prepared all through the season for any late-season tropical storms to cause damage.
