National Weather Service warns of black ice on roadways

Patches of black ice are expected across a large portion of the area overnight Monday and into Tuesday morning.

Black ice is a deadly driving hazard defined as patchy ice on roadways or other transportation surfaces that cannot easily be seen. It is often clear (not white) with the black road surface visible underneath. It is most prevalent during the early morning hours, especially after snow melt on the roadways has a chance to refreeze overnight when the temperature drops below freezing. Black ice can also form when roadways are slick from rain and temperatures drop below freezing overnight.

Temperatures will fall below freezing across the entire area by midnight and will remain below freezing through late Tuesday morning as lows range from the lower 20s to around 30. These cold temperatures will freeze any residual moisture from recent rain and snow melt, left on area roads.

Please use extra caution while traveling later Monday night through Tuesday morning, and watch for patches of black ice, especially on elevated roadways, bridges, overpasses and shaded areas.