Snowy Saturday

 

 

Photo by Jonas Jaeken on Unsplash

 

The Frosty beat goes on…

Good morning my friends in WP land. It is another blustery day in our usually warm southern parts.

It is a cold 17 degrees this morning. The precipitation instantly freezes to become the deadly black ice.

Travel is slow and quite dangerous. Texans are not accustomed to these circumstances and motor vehicle accidents become the order of the day.

The next few days are slated to be even colder.  The dangers of black ice increases during the night hours.

Safe Driving on Black Ice

Photo by Krzysztof Hepner on Unsplash

Black ice is like regular ice and is an icy glaze that forms on surfaces of basically anything. This is especially true of roads, sidewalks, and driveways,  due to precipitation or light rain or the melting and re-freezing of snow, water, or ice on surfaces.

Because it tends to look like the rest of the pavement on the road, although in reality, it’s actually clear, you can usually see it really well at the edges where the road and sidewalk meet. Black ice forms without creating bubbles, which allows it to blend in with any surface it forms over.

Black ice can be perceived as “glossy” darkness that mimics the surface upon which it is formed and it is dangerous precisely because can be difficult to see.

Black ice usually forms just about the freezing point. Sometimes in frigid temperatures on highways, black ice will form as a result of the heat of tires
on the road together with freezing temperatures. Be alert and keep your eyes on the weather and the roadways.

• Black ice is most common at night and in the early hours of the morning before the flow of traffic increases.
• Black ice is more prevalent along roadways without access to sunlight or traffic, eg., tunnels, shaded walkways, etc.
• Black ice forms readily on bridges, overpasses, and the road beneath overpasses. Due to the fact that the cold air is able to circulate at both the top and under the bridge or overpass, causing any precipitation to freeze faster.
• Drive slowly, remember there is practically no traction due to the black ice and you will not be able to stop by sharply applying your brakes.
• Remain in the center lane as much as is possible, and stay a safe distance behind other travelers giving yourself ample time to come to a stop.
• If you encounter black ice, just take your foot off the gas, do not try to brake, keep your vehicle straight as you slow down. (This is why it is important to allow for space in front of you and that you drive slowly).
• Remain alert and stay off those cell phones.

These are just a few points on how to drive safely in snow and black ice. Read more thorough pointers here.

Tentative plans for the weekend.

We have been asked to remain and sleep in the hospital this weekend. I have not yet decided if I will remain here as it does not exactly make for a restful night.

You wonder if your co-workers can hear you snoring, you wonder if you talk in your sleep or perform any other unsavory annoyances that you would not want to be made public, lol.

Seriously, for me sleeping in circumstances outside of my norm does not contribute to a restful state.

How is the weather in your neck of the woods?

Stay safe, stay warm and be well.