--- title: What is black ice and how do I discover it? description: It is not only the snow that can cause us problems, even more dangerous is the black ice. Find out the typical signs of black ice also called clear ice . image: https://intblog.onspot.com/hubfs/Blog_images/640pxl%20%20Pictures/What-is-blackice%20640%204-3.jpg --- [![](https://www.onspot.com/imagevault/publishedmedia/ewjmu1x672ip2pj4oovu/Onspot_Logo.png)](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/) - [Why Onspot](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/why-onspot/) - Knowledge - [Overview](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/knowledge/overview/) - [Ways to increase traction](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/knowledge/ways-to-increase-traction/) - [For fleet managers](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/knowledge/for-fleet-managers/) - [For drivers](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/knowledge/for-drivers/) - [For mechanics](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/knowledge/for-mechanics/) - [Rules & regulations](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/knowledge/rules--regulations/) - [Knowledge centre](https://knowledge.onspot.com/knowledge-centre-for-winter-driving-and-traction) - The product - [Overview](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/the-product/overview/) - [Testimonials](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/the-product/testimonials/) - [FAQ](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/the-product/faq/) - [Documents, manuals and brochures](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/the-product/documents-manuals-brochures/) - [Tech specs](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/the-product/tech-specs2/) - [Spare parts](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/the-product/spare-parts/) - [Configurator](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/configurator/) - About us - [Overview](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/about-onspot/overview/) - [History](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/about-onspot/history/) - [News & Press releases](https://intblog.onspot.com/news-press-releases) - Blog - [Blog articles](https://intblog.onspot.com/) - [All about automatic snow chains](https://knowledge.onspot.com/en-gb/all-about-automatic-snow-chains) - [Traction aid for heavy vehicles](https://knowledge.onspot.com/en-gb/traction-aid-for-heavy-vehicles) - Find us - [For Dealers & Service](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/find-us/for-dealers--service/) - [Events](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/find-us/events/) - [E-Training](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/training/) - [English](https://onspot.com/?s=false) - [Contact us](https://www.onspot.com/en-GB/contact-us/) # What is black ice and how do I discover it? Written by [Boel Haglund](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/boel-haglund), November 16, 2016 *Black ice on the road is rightly considered very dangerous when driving. Still, many drivers are not watchful enough in weather conditions where there is the risk of black ice. But, what is this black ice – and what should I know about it?* ## ***No, it’s not black*** Typically, black ice is invisible. It’s a thin coating of glaze ice on the road surface. Since it’s thin and transparent, the black road surface is clearly seen through it, and that is why it’s called *black* ice. ## **But, it’s dangerous** The typically low levels of noticeable ice pellets, snow, or sleet surrounding black ice means that areas of the ice are often practically invisible to drivers. Accordingly, the driver is not prepared for the slippery road area, and there is a risk of unexpected loss of traction. This in turn may result in a subsequent accident. Black ice sometimes forms from super-cooled rain which freezes into ice and constitutes a particular risk to winter traffic because it is extremely slippery and hard to spot. The temperature may be above freezing but the road surface may still be slippery. > The road surface can be well below freezing temperature – while the vehicle thermometer suggests it is not freezing. ## This is how you discover black ice Roads alongside open water are high-risk areas. Wind and high atmospheric pressure can quickly make the road slippery. All bridges, even those not close to open water, are cooled from above and below, which increases the risk of ice. On bends and in open spaces, the roadway may be covered by a thin layer of transparent ice when the wind blows - If the air is just above freezing, the road is damp and the weather clearing, there is a risk of the road freezing quickly when the temperature drops. The road surface is often colder than the air, which is good to keep in mind when the vehicle thermometer suggests it is not freezing. - Listen to the spray from the tires. If they have been making a wet and splashy sound and suddenly go quiet, this generally means that the moisture has frozen into ice. - Look at the windshield. If it has been wet and suddenly gets drier, this may be because it has turned colder outside, and the road has frozen. - Open farmland. Wind blowing across the fields can dump snow on the roadway and polish it smooth. - Watch when the rain freezes on the windshield and no longer splashes off the tires of the cars in front. The rain will freeze to ice on contact with the road - Shady forest areas. Here, the night-time cold can hang around and moisture can turn to ice. ## Drive carefully – and stay observant Never mess with safety! Especially when there is risk of black ice, dropping attention when driving may have very unpleasant consequences. If you want more tips on how you can improve your performance on icy roads, download  *5 ways to improve performance in slippery conditions*. [![How to improve performance on icy roads](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1905643/f634f084-8104-4035-8f4b-8e00c0a6b242.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1905643/f634f084-8104-4035-8f4b-8e00c0a6b242)   Thsi blog text is also available in [French](https://intblog.onspot.com/fr/quest-ce-que-la-glace-noire-et-comment-la-reconna%C3%AEtre) and [Swedish](https://intblog.onspot.com/sv/vad-ar-svartis-och-hur-upptacker-jag-den) [Rescue Driving](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/rescue-driving) [Content for commercial drivers](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/content-for-commercial-drivers) [Winter equipment](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/winter-equipment) ![Boel Haglund](https://intblog.onspot.com/hubfs/Blog_images/BoelH3_%202016%20321x321.jpg) #### About [Boel Haglund](https://intblog.onspot.com/author/boel-haglund) Boel was previously Digital Marketing Manager at VBG Group Truck Equipment, in Vänersborg, Sweden. She has over ten years of experience in the field, and received an MBA from University of Gothenburg, School of Business, Economics and Law. When she is not crafting different digital media strategies you can find her busy cheering in the stands of Gothenburg Cheer One, renovating the garden and finding new material for her autobiography. Boel était auparavant responsable du marketing digital chez VBG Group Truck Equipment, à Vänersborg, en Suède. Elle a plus de dix ans d'expérience dans le domaine et a obtenu un MBA de la School of Business, Economics and Law de l'Université de Göteborg. Lorsqu'elle n'élabore pas différentes stratégies en matière de médias numériques, vous pouvez la trouver acclamée dans les stands de Gothenburg Cheer One, rénover son jardin et trouver de nouveaux éléments pour son autobiographie. ## Comments ### Subscribe to blog updates ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Automatic Snow Chains (74)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/automatic-snow-chains) - [Fleet Managers (53)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/fleet-managers) - [Rescue Driving (44)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/rescue-driving) - [onspot (43)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/onspot) - [Commercial Drivers (42)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/commercial-drivers) - [Improving Fleet Productivity (37)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/improving-fleet-productivity) - [For Mechanics (35)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/for-mechanics) - [Slippery Roads (31)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/slippery-roads) - [Content for commercial drivers (28)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/content-for-commercial-drivers) - [Improve performance on icy roads (26)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/improve-performance-on-icy-roads) - [Truck driver safety (24)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/truck-driver-safety) - [automatic tire chains (21)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/automatic-tire-chains) - [Winter equipment (19)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/winter-equipment) - [School bus driving (18)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/school-bus-driving) - [Traction aid for heavy vehicles (18)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/traction-aid-for-heavy-vehicles) - [Maintenance (17)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/maintenance) - [Snow chain (16)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/snow-chain) - [Winter driving tips (16)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/winter-driving-tips) - [traction (16)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/traction) - [Commercial Driver (15)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/commercial-driver) - [tire chains (15)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/tire-chains) - [School Bus Safety (14)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/school-bus-safety) - [driver safety (14)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/driver-safety) - [icy conditions (13)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/icy-conditions) - [How to keep up with the schedule (12)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/how-to-keep-up-with-the-schedule) - [e-training (12)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/e-training) - [All about automatic snow chains (11)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/all-about-automatic-snow-chains) - [snow chains (11)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/snow-chains) - [Rescue Vehicles (10)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/rescue-vehicles) - [Response time – a challenge for the rescue driver (10)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/response-time-a-challenge-for-the-rescue-driver) - [Fire Truck (9)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/fire-truck) - [Improving performance on icy roads (9)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/improving-performance-on-icy-roads) - [school bus driver (9)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/school-bus-driver) - [Ambulance (8)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/ambulance) - [Fleet Maintenance (8)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/fleet-maintenance) - [Fleet Productivity (8)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/fleet-productivity) - [Response Time (8)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/response-time) - [Delivery (7)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/delivery) - [Engineering (7)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/engineering) - [Autonomous Vehicles (6)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/autonomous-vehicles) - [Service (6)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/service) - [Traction aids for heavy vehicles (6)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/traction-aids-for-heavy-vehicles) - [All about automatic tire chains (5)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/all-about-automatic-tire-chains) - [Tips on driving a school bus in adverse conditions (5)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/tips-on-driving-a-school-bus-in-adverse-conditions) - [Black ice (4)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/black-ice) - [Off Season Productivity (4)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/off-season-productivity) - [fleet efficiency (4)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/fleet-efficiency) - [improve performance on slippery roads (4)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/improve-performance-on-slippery-roads) - [improving uptime (4)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/improving-uptime) - [Happy New Year (3)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/happy-new-year) - [Schedule (3)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/schedule) - [checklist (3)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/checklist) - [health tips for drivers (3)](https://intblog.onspot.com/topic/health-tips-for-drivers) - [5 ways to improve uptime of your fleets! 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