Spanish traffic authorities warn drivers about the danger of black ice
Storm Herminia is causing widespread travel disruptions throughout Spain
Dozens of regions in Spain have been put on alert this week for gale-force winds, torrential rain and snow as a result of storm Herminia, which is sweeping across most of the country. As a result, the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) has issued a special warning to motorists about so-called ‘freezing rain’ or ‘black ice’, something that can catch drivers completely unawares.
Last week, when Aemet forecast widespread snowfall at unusually low altitudes, the DGT asked motorists who had to travel by road “to check, before undertaking the trip, the weather forecast and the state of the roads, and to carry chains in case their use is necessary for driving or to have winter or all-season tires installed.”
In addition to snow, the State Meteorological Agency pointed to a strong likelihood of freezing rain.
As its name would suggest, this happens when rain freezes upon coming into contact with cold surfaces such as footpaths or roads, usually after a few days of heavy frosts. Rather than blanketing the ground, snow begins to melt as it falls, and the freezing process occurs when this snow falls on a surface below 0°C, producing what’s known as a 'supermelt'.
So, if the vehicle or any part of it such as the windshield or rear-view mirror remains at a temperature below zero, it is possible that the melting snow will hit the car in the form of ice.
Moreover, this freezing rain becomes even more dangerous when it forms black ice on the roads.
As the DGT explains, “this phenomenon can affect road traffic, since ice is more difficult to detect and is often not visible to the naked eye, causing slipping and loss of traction, increased braking distance and a greater risk of accident.”
In light of this situation, traffic authorities say that “it is essential that drivers adapt their behaviour, maintaining an appropriate speed, increasing the safety distance, using winter or all-season tyres, if possible, and keeping a constant watch on weather conditions before setting off.”
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Image: Freepik
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