Black Ice Warning For Residents
Dec 23rd, 2009 | By Simon Butler | Isle of Wight News From The Island PulseLatest weather news warning from the Isle of Wight Council:
Motorists and pedestrians should take extra care if you are going out today (Wednesday) as early morning rain is likely to freeze and form dangerous patches of black ice.
The Isle of Wight Council is warning motorists to take extra care on the roads as rain is forecast at 0600am.
Although the Island’s main roads have already been treated with salt, this can be diluted or washed away if it rains and this will reduce its effectiveness.
Gritting vehicles will be on standby ready to respond as soon as possible to carry out another salt spreading operation on main roads. However, this operation can take around 2 hours meaning there may be a period of up to 2 hours when ice may form on some of the main roads. In these circumstances drivers may experience difficult road conditions early tomorrow morning.
Due to freezing overnight temperatures, some roads could see rainfall freeze on parts of the surfaces of some roads. This can lead to so-called ‘black ice’ forming, including on main roads before they are treated again with salt.
Untreated roads and pavements may become particularly hazardous and the council urges highway users to take extra care during the current period of very low temperatures.
