When are road conditions most hazardous due to ice?

Hazardous road conditions due to ice are particularly prevalent during the first few minutes of rain after a dry spell. This phenomenon occurs because, when rain begins to fall on dry asphalt, it can mix with the oil and debris that has accumulated on the road surface. The combination of the rain and these contaminants can create a slippery layer that is very hazardous for drivers. Additionally, if the temperatures are near or below freezing, this mixture can quickly turn to ice, making the roads extremely treacherous.

Other options do indicate conditions that may lead to some hazards, but they do not match the immediate risk posed by the first rainfall after a dry period. After a snowstorm, roads can still be hazardous, but the primary concern is often snow and slush rather than ice formation. In summer months, icing conditions are unlikely, and even when temperatures are below freezing at night, the risk of immediate icing primarily emerges during transitional weather, such as rain following a dry spell.