Honestly, if you're looking at the weather forecast Rehoboth Beach DE right now, you might be staring at a weird mix of snowflakes and raindrops on your screen. It’s January 18, 2026, and the coast is doing that bipolar thing it does so well.
Earlier today, the high hit 41°F, but don’t let that number fool you. As of tonight, it’s a crisp 32°F, and with those northwest winds whipping off the water at 20 mph, it actually feels like 19°F. Basically, it’s the kind of cold that bites through a "light" winter jacket.
The Reality of a Rehoboth Winter
Most people think of the Delaware coast as a summer-only destination. They’re missing out, but they’re also avoiding some genuinely erratic atmospheric behavior.
Right now, we’ve got a 13% chance of snow overnight. Earlier today, it was a messy 65% chance of a rain-snow mix. That’s the Rehoboth special: it’s rarely cold enough for a "Postcard from Vermont" snowdrift, but it’s always damp enough to make you feel the chill in your bones.
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Tomorrow, Monday, January 19, looks like a total 180. We’re talking full sun and a high of 39°F. It sounds better, right? Just watch out for the low of 21°F tomorrow night. The humidity is dropping from a swampy 98% today down to 57% tomorrow, so at least the air won't feel like a wet blanket.
The 10-Day Outlook (What to Actually Expect)
If you’re planning a trip to the boardwalk this week, here is the breakdown of what the cards are showing:
- Tuesday, Jan 20: Sunny but brutal. High of 28°F, low of 20°F. The wind will be coming from the northwest at 16 mph. It’s a "stay inside and drink coffee" kind of day.
- Wednesday, Jan 21: A slight recovery to 41°F. Still sunny, but clouds start creeping in at night.
- Thursday, Jan 22: This is the outlier. A high of 48°F. If you’ve got cabin fever, this is your window, even with a 10% chance of rain.
- The Weekend: Saturday and Sunday (Jan 24-25) are looking gray. We’re expecting snow showers with highs struggling to break 30°F.
Tides and the Atlantic Factor
You can't talk about the weather here without mentioning the ocean. It’s the giant thermostat of the Delmarva Peninsula.
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Today, Sunday the 18th, we had a high tide at 7:20 AM (4.37 ft) and another at 7:30 PM (3.17 ft). If you’re a beachcomber, you missed the low tide at 1:35 PM, but Monday offers another shot. High tide tomorrow hits at 8:01 AM.
The water is fascinating this time of year because it keeps the immediate coast just a tiny bit warmer than places like Georgetown or Millsboro, but it adds a layer of wind that inland folks just don't have to deal with.
Why the Forecast Changes So Fast
Rehoboth sits in a unique spot. You have the Delaware Bay to the north and the Atlantic to the east. Meteorologists often struggle with the "rain-snow line" here because a two-degree shift in wind direction—moving from a land breeze to a sea breeze—can turn a potential three-inch snowfall into a slushy afternoon rain.
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For instance, Saturday the 24th is currently showing a 21 mph north wind. That's a "spicy" wind, as some locals call it. It’s the kind of weather that brings in the Nor'easters.
Actionable Tips for Navigating Rehoboth Right Now
- Layers are non-negotiable. A 41°F day feels like 41°F in the sun, but the moment you step into the shadow of a building on Rehoboth Avenue, the wind-chill makes it feel like 25°F.
- Check the Dewpoint. For the geeks out there, the dewpoint is sitting around 25°F-33°F this month. That means dry air. Pack the heavy-duty moisturizer.
- Watch the Tides for Walks. If you want to walk the beach, aim for the two hours surrounding low tide. On Monday, Jan 19, that's roughly around 2:12 PM.
- Don't trust the "Sunny" label. In January, "sunny" often means "clear and freezing." The UV index is currently at a 0 or 2, so the sun isn't providing much warmth.
The big takeaway? Rehoboth in January is for the hardy. It’s quiet, it’s beautiful in a stark way, and the weather is a constant conversation starter because nobody—not even the apps—is 100% sure what the sky will do three hours from now.
If you're heading out, just keep an eye on that Thursday warm-up. It's the best chance you'll have to see the ocean without shivering uncontrollably.