Beware of Potential Black Ice Tonight
The risk for slippery roadways is not gone tonight. Traffic, rainfall and above freezing temperatures did a good job of breaking down the early morning slush from overnight snowfall and freezing rain on major roadways today. However, remaining moisture will create a risk for refreezing in the early hours of Saturday morning.
As temperatures plunge to just below freezing around 4:00am, spots of ice known as 'black ice' will be possible on West Alabama roadways, bridges, over passes and elevated roads. This will be a significant threat on secondary and rural roads with lesser traffic.
The term black ice is somewhat of a misnomer. It is not the ice that is black but because the ice glazing is transparent the black top beneath can be seen through the ice, fooling motorist and making it difficult to detect. Black ice forms without creating bubbles, which allows it to blend in with any surface it forms over.
Black ice tends to form in the late evening and early morning hours as traffic thins allowing moisture to refreeze.
According to a release by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), "This thin, nearly invisible, layer of ice can form on roadways and not be noticeable." That is why ALEA Troopers caution drivers after dark especially to slow down and not risk a crash.
There are actually possible clues to the presence of black ice according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A glossy surface is your indication of potential black ice. 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 - don't panic.
If you do encounter black ice, ALEA Troopers advise that your first reaction must be to remain calm and avoid overreacting. The general rule is to do as little as possible and allow the car to pass over the ice. Do not hit the brakes and try to keep the steering wheel straight.[5] If you feel the back end of your car sliding left or right, make a very gentle turn of the steering wheel in the same direction. If you try to struggle against it by steering in the opposite direction, you risk skidding or spinning out.
With sunny, warmer, dryer conditions forecast for tomorrow the slippery road threat should disappear by late Saturday morning.
More From 95.3 The Bear
