'Adjust your speed:' Milwaukee Co. sheriff, WisDOT warn of black ice on roads

MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office in a news release Tuesday, Jan. 29 offered a reminder to motorists to exercise caution when traveling on interstates and expressways due to patches of black ice covering areas throughout the freeway system. WisDOT officials echoed that warning in a news release of their own.

A wind chill warning was set to take effect at 6 p.m. Tuesday, running through noon Thursday. The FOX6 Weather Experts say we could see the coldest air in decades -- with wind chills potentially dropping to the -50s at times.

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"Remember to monitor road conditions and adjust your speed to an appropriate level, maintain a safe following distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you, and ensure that you are aware of the location of emergency vehicles and personnel at work," said officials with the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office.

WisDOT officials described black ice as "a thin layer of highly transparent and hazardous ice that forms as melting snow refreezes on roads and bridges. The road may appear wet, or look as if there’s no hazard at all."

Black ice tends to occur most commonly overnight and in the early morning as pavement temperatures drop, but WisDOT officials said the forecast through Friday morning, Feb. 1 makes black ice a daytime possibility as well. This is because of blowing snow and the potential for shorter-term freeze-thaw cycles as vehicle exhaust or sunlight heat driving surfaces before bitter winds freeze the moisture.

WisDOT officials noted crews were out treating the roads. Rock salt typically takes longer to gain effectiveness and melting power in the extreme cold.

They asked that drivers please slow down, give additional space to other traffic and take additional time to stop – or avoid travel if possible. Motorists should be especially cautious at traditional black ice trouble spots such as underpasses, within the shade of trees, at intersections or on interchange ramps.

In the release, WisDOT officials offered the following advice related to driving in the bitter cold:

If you become stranded: