Honestly, if you’re looking at a weather forecast Dewey Beach right now and seeing temperatures in the 20s, you might be tempted to just stay under the covers. It’s cold. Like, "wind-chill-making-you-question-your-life-choices" cold.
As of tonight, Thursday, January 15, 2026, the current temperature is exactly 27°F. But here’s the kicker: with that northwest wind hitting 20 mph, the feels-like temperature is a biting 12°F. If you’re heading out to Woody’s for a crab cake, bundle up like you’re trekking the tundra.
The Reality of the Dewey Beach Weather Forecast This Week
People think the beach is "closed" in January. It isn't. It’s just... quieter. And windier.
Tomorrow, Friday, January 16, stays sunny with a high of 40°F and a low of 24°F. The wind drops slightly to 19 mph from the southwest, which helps, but don't expect a tropical breeze.
Saturday is when things get interesting. We’re looking at a high of 46°F, which is actually the warmest day on the immediate horizon. It’ll be cloudy, though, with a 25% chance of rain during the day.
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Then comes Sunday. If you’re planning a drive down Route 1, keep an eye on the sky. There’s a 40% chance of snow during the day with a high of 40°F.
Next Week's Deep Freeze
- Monday: Sunny but chilly. High of 39°F, low of 22°F.
- Tuesday: The bottom falls out. A high of only 28°F and a low of 20°F with 21 mph winds.
- Wednesday: Back up to 41°F, mostly cloudy.
Why the "Wind Chill" is Your Real Enemy
In Dewey, the ocean is a massive thermal engine, but in the winter, the humidity and the wind combine to make the air feel much heavier than it does inland. Currently, the humidity is at 46%, which is actually quite dry for us, but the lack of cloud cover tonight means all the heat is escaping into space.
Basically, the "dry cold" everyone talks about out west? We don't have that. We have "wet cold" that gets into your bones.
Is It Safe to Visit the Beach?
Look, the Atlantic doesn't care that it's winter. While the uv index is currently 0, and the sky is clear, the ocean is dangerous. Rip currents are a year-round threat, and there are no lifeguards on duty this time of year.
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If you see a seal—and you likely will, because it’s "seal season"—give them space. They’re here to rest. If you get too close, they might bite, and trust me, a seal bite is not the souvenir you want.
Surviving the Off-Season Like a Local
Most people get the weather forecast Dewey Beach wrong because they don't realize how quickly it shifts. One minute it's a sunny 40-degree walk on the sand, the next, a northwest gust makes it feel like 10 degrees.
The Dewey Business Partnership keeps things moving even when it's freezing. The Winter Gala is coming up on Saturday, January 24, at the Lighthouse Cove Event Center. It’s currently sold out, but that should tell you everything you need to know about how Dewey parties in the dark of winter.
If you’re here this weekend, hit the Starboard. They’ve got "Decade80" playing on Saturday night starting at 9:45 pm. It’s the perfect way to forget that it’s 40°F outside.
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Actionable Winter Beach Tips:
- The Three-Layer Rule: Base layer (wicking), middle layer (fleece), and a windproof shell. The shell is the most important part because of those 20 mph gusts.
- Check the Tides: Low tide is the best time for a walk if you want to find sea glass or shells without getting your boots soaked.
- Follow the Specials: Places like Fins and Big Oyster Brewery have off-season deals that make the cold much more tolerable.
The weather is currently clear and stable, but that Sunday snow chance is the one to watch. If the wind shifts further north, those flurries could turn into a real dusting. Keep your eyes on the local sensors and maybe keep an extra blanket in the trunk.
Drive safe on the Coastal Highway. Watch for black ice on the bridges near the inlet.
Check back for updates if that Sunday system starts looking heavier.