Hard Freeze Raises Black Ice Risk

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – After nearly 48 hours of rain, falling temperatures could create hazardous driving conditions across Hamilton County overnight and into the morning commute. 

Forecasts show temperatures dropping from around 24 degrees near midnight to as low as 18 degrees by early Monday morning.

TDOT says when wet roads are followed by a hard freeze, black ice can form quickly, especially on bridges, overpasses, ramps, hills, and shaded roadways. 

Crews are monitoring conditions and treating primary routes as temperatures drop, prioritizing areas that tend to freeze first.

Officials warn that rain before freezing temperatures can make road conditions difficult to judge, as ice may not be visible to drivers. 

TDOT urges motorists to slow down, avoid sudden braking, and reconsider travel if conditions worsen.

Drivers can check real-time road conditions and traffic updates through TDOT’s smart way map which can be found at smartway.tn.gov