Black ice warnings swirl after big winter storm
National Weather Service offices in North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia sounded the alarm this week about a dangerous, thin and clear ice that can form on roads, bridges and overpasses during frosty and freezing temperatures.
It's commonly called black ice, and it can be especially worrying after winter storms like the one that just blanketed areas in the nation's Mid-Atlantic states and the East Coast. And Texas is now bracing for snow.
Black ice can cause vehicle tires to lose traction, making it difficult to brake or steer. Drivers often lose control in these conditions. The risks should prompt Americans to reconsider travel and take extra precautions on the road, according to the National Weather Service.
What is black ice?
Black ice is a transparent, thin coat of ice that forms on pavement from leftover moisture in freezing temperatures. The ice can form on roads, curbs and drainage areas where there is melting snow, according to the National Weather Service's office in Newport/Morehead City, North Carolina.
This type of ice is different from a white or grey layer of ice which can form when roadways have been plowed or driven on, packing the snow or hail so that it freezes into a slippery layer. Often somewhat lumpy, that kind of ice can be seen by drivers, giving them a visual cue that they need to slow down.
Black ice's transparency is what makes it so dangerous, Officer Carlos Perez of California's Highway Patrol previously told Paste BN.
"It's undetectable to the human eye. Many people don’t realize they’re driving on black ice until they’re spinning," Perez said. "It's very smooth and glossy and you can't really see it."
How can drivers stay safe from black ice?
If you cannot avoid travel, officials from the National Weather Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service suggest a few ways to stay safe from black ice:
- Drive slowly if you expect to run into frost or freeze
- Leave space between your car and the vehicle in front of you
- Know when to expect black ice: Drivers are more likely to run into black ice in the evening when temperatures are cooler, but black ice can also be present during the day.
- In some cases, learn how to see the ice. Black ice is hard to see most of the time, but with the right lighting, drivers can look out for a smooth and glossy surface on the road to detect it. "If the majority of the road you're driving on appears a dull black color, but the patch just ahead of you appears shiny, you may be about to drive onto black ice," reads the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service's guidance.
- Practice driving on normal ice with a seasoned driver. "Find a nice, large, empty parking lot with ice on it. Drive on ice. Practice braking on ice. Understand how your car feels and handles in these conditions," reads the department's guidance.
Contributing: Elizabeth Weise
Contact Kayla Jimenez at kjimenez@usatoday.com. Follow her on X at @kaylajjimenez.