Black ice on the road is a recipe for disaster. Here’s what it is, how it forms, and where it’s often hiding in plain sight.

Black ice can cause vehicle tires to lose traction, making it difficult to brake or steer. Here's what to know. Hotspots ranked Start the day smarter ☀️ Funniest cap messages Get the USA TODAY app ...

Black ice is a clear glaze of ice that can form on roads, sidewalks and driveways because it forms without creating bubbles. It blends into the surface, becoming nearly impossible to see.

As any driver who's hit a patch can tell you, it's dangerous in the extreme. 'It happened so fast' Jack Whalen was driving on Interstate 81 in upstate New York when he hit a stretch of black ice ...

If you do encounter black ice, the Forest Service said the general rule is to take your foot off the gas and let your car pass over the patch, which is usually less than 20 feet.

Black ice isn't actually black, it's transparent. That's what makes it so dangerous. It's the thin coating of ice that can form on seemingly bare pavement when temperatures hover around freezing.

Black ice is most likely to form at night or in the early morning hours when temperatures are coldest. It can also form on shaded parts of the road that's not exposed to sun.

Black Ice Explainer. Black ice gets its name because it blends in so well with the black pavement underneath. It can be very hard to spot, but you can usually catch it due to its shiny appearance.

Black ice is especially dangerous because you often don't know you're on it until you start slipping. Here's what to do if that happens. News Sports Indy 500 Things To Do Opinion Advertise ...

Black ice was reported on eastbound Interstate 20 at Dowdy Ferry Road, where a jack-knifed 18-wheeler was blocking lanes. Author: Brianna Mowery Published: 7:24 PM EST February 20, 2025 ...

Black ice can form when the air is below freezing at the surface and it’s raining, according to AccuWeather. Melting snow that refreezes, freezing rain, mist or fog can also result in black ice.

Black ice on these surfaces can form faster and more unexpectedly. Melting snow: What to expect this weekend: Snow that melts during the day and creates pools of water on roads and sidewalks.