Originally Posted by
Daniel4
If it's ice you can't see, it's black ice regardless of how it's formed.
"Black" a generic term used to describe either the unknown or non-visible: Black Hole (light can't escape), dark matter, dark energy (unknown matter or energy causing un-explained behaviour of the universe), black box (a device where data goes in and information comes out).
In Minnesota we define ice differently (already talked about this on
page 4,
page 5 and again on
page 6). I would suggest that Minnesota has different terms because we can have both re-freeze and exhaust ice (we call black ice). These form in different conditions and in different locations; therefore, it is helpful to use different terms. This helps a rider (or driver) be attentive to the conditions and locations they need to be aware of icy conditions that may be hard to see. This is only for Minnesotans, the rest of you may use the term "black ice" however you'd like:
Re-freeze happens with temps are near freezing, snow melts and refreeze in shady areas (i.e. under bridges)
Black ice happens when temps are below 0F, ice forms from auto exhaust of idling cars (i.e. stop lights)
This is helpful the next time you are talking with a Minnesotan, doncha know, like we have hotdishes, drink pop, and kids play "duck, duck, grey duck".
