Name: What Is black ice and why is it so dangerous?
Uploaded: 2025-11-22T16:27:23.439Z
Duration: 48 s
Description: Black ice is extremely dangerous for drivers in the winter months. Meteorologist Rob Shackelford breaks down why.

Black ice is extremely dangerous for drivers in the winter months. Meteorologist Rob Shackelford breaks down why.

Black ice is a thin, transparent layer of ice that forms on roads, often making the surface appear black due to the underlying pavement. It typically develops when snow melts under sunlight and then refreezes as temperatures drop below freezing, creating hazardous driving conditions.

The Weather Channel advises drivers who encounter black ice to keep the steering wheel straight, avoid braking, and gently lift their foot off the accelerator to reduce speed. These steps can help prevent sliding and loss of control while driving on black ice.

What Is black ice and why is it so dangerous?

So what is black ice and why does it matter? Let's get to the basics first. A thin coat of highly transparent ice on roads. Usually the roads are black, hence the name black ice. So how do we get it? Let me paint a picture for you. Let's say it snows really hard, sun comes out, melts some of the snow, makes the roads all wet. Then when the temperatures drop back down below freezing, roads are still wet, that's how you're gonna get that black ice. Now let me break down a couple pointers for you. If you encounter a patch of black ice, number one, keep your steering wheel straight. If you turn the wheel, you have a better chance of sliding and losing control of your vehicle. Number two, do not brake. Braking causes the vehicle to slide, you lose traction, especially if you brake too hard. Number three, take your foot off the accelerator, nice and gentle to reduce speed. It's best to let the car stop on its own if you have enough room in front of you. Hope this helps. Drop a comment in the below if you have a crazy black ice story.

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