Snow covered roads can be messy, though for most cold and dry snow events the traction is generally uniform, predictable and manageable.
There are, however, a variety of meteorological conditions that can produce exceptionally dangerous and slippery road surfaces.
Many of these involve some form of icing, and the majority of them require an acute awareness of weather conditions leading up to the event.
A prolonged cold spell will chill road surfaces well below freezing. Slushy roads that occur when a snow event changes to rain may hide a layer of ice beneath the slush if the road surface temperatures are still below freezing.
If light snow is falling, like the snow we may receive in Las Vegas, if the temperatures is low enough, the traffic will melt the snow on roads making wet road surfaces. If the light snow continues as temperatures fall, such as during a strong cold frontal passage, the moisture will remain on the roads and turn to ice.
Snow blowing over the roads can melt in the sunshine then refreeze on road surfaces in the cold wind creating icy surfaces. Motorists traveling on roads that appear mainly dry can suddenly and unexpectedly encounter ice where the snow has been blowing and drifting over the roads.
This is especially dangerous at bends in the roads where the ice may not be discovered until the last minute and where traction is most critical.
Be wary of Winter road conditions; if you’ve been in an accident as a result of somebody else’s negligence, contact us today at 702.384.9800 for a free consultation.