Black ice poses hidden danger on North Texas roads

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - Black ice is often called the “invisible killer” due to its low visibility, especially during the early morning and evening hours when drivers may not realize road conditions have changed.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, black ice and other winter driving conditions contribute to an average of more than 1,800 deaths and over 130,000 injuries each year.

While many winter-weather crashes occur in states with prolonged cold, black ice remains a common threat in Texas, particularly during freezes when temperatures hover around the freezing point of 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

First Alert Meteorologist Ken Johnson explained how black ice forms even when daytime temperatures remain below freezing.

“We have this ice and this snow that’s on the ground. The sun comes out, and even if temperatures in the daytime are below freezing, that sun still can warm up that snow and that ice enough to cause it to melt,” Johnson said. “After the sun goes down, you lose any heating and the temperatures quickly get below freezing, and it turns into that sheet of black ice.”

TxDOT Public Information Officer Adele Lewis said certain areas are more likely to develop black ice than others.

“Bridges and overpasses, places that tend to be a little bit shaded, curves. If you’re familiar with any of the routes that you take, you know kind of these little slippery areas that you need to watch out for,” Lewis said.

Lewis added that black ice is not only dangerous for drivers but also poses a serious risk to pedestrians.

“Nobody plows a sidewalk, and so it’s very dangerous. Concrete is porous, so there’s nowhere for ice or water to really land. You’re really walking on a glazed ice walkway,” Lewis said.

Officials say while black ice may not be as much of an issue during warmer daytime hours, drivers traveling at night or early in the morning should remain especially cautious.

TxDOT recommends continuing to avoid roadways when possible. However, if travel is necessary, officials stress that slowing down, staying alert and being aware of high-risk areas can make all the difference.