What’s a flash freeze? Why roads could be hazardous Friday

Michigan might quickly resemble an ice rink, climate officers say, as temperatures drop shortly Thursday night and Friday, Dec. 18-19, resulting in what’s referred to as a “flash freeze.”

Rain or snow on the roads, or any floor, will shortly freeze as temperatures drop.

“A flash freeze is feasible Thursday night (Dec. 18) as temperatures drop beneath freezing. The mix of icy roads, along with falling and blowing snow, Thursday night time via Friday (Dec. 19) will probably result in hazardous driving situations,” the Nationwide Climate Service stated.

A forecast for dangerous weather A attainable flash freeze is in impact throughout the Higher Peninsula and northern Michigan.

“Even when it is not raining, moist roads can shortly grow to be icy when temperatures drop beneath freezing. These surprising slippery situations could make driving harmful,” the NWS stated. “If the roads look moist in winter, keep cautious, decelerate and do not use cruise management. Do not let sudden freezes sneak up on you!”

Statewide highs on Thursday, December 18 are anticipated to be between 30 and 40 levels throughout the day, earlier than anticipated to drop to the one digits to twenty levels at night time – presumably even beneath zero. Ironwood within the western Higher Peninsula will see temperatures as little as 5 levels (with a wind chill of minus 10) Thursday night time via Friday morning, after a excessive close to 35 on Thursday.

Rain or snow is forecast statewide for December 18-19, with areas seeing freezing drizzle or freezing rain as temperatures start to drop.

“There will be a lot of rain on Thursday in the run-up to an approaching cold front (December 18). Widespread rain quantities of 0.25 to 0.50 inches are anticipated,” the Detroit NWS stated on

Here is extra concerning the flash freeze this week in Michigan:

The place is a flash freeze anticipated this week in Michigan?

A flash freeze is anticipated, particularly in northern Michigan and the UP the place temperatures will probably be colder, however this might happen throughout the state. In Southeast Michigan, together with Detroit, temperatures will probably be within the low 50s on Thursday, dropping to round 75 levels in a single day via Friday.

In accordance with the NWS Probabilistic precipitation portalJapanese and decrease northern areas will see 0.0 to 0.04 inches of ice accrued by Saturday morning, December 20.

What’s a flash freeze?

A flash freeze happens when temperatures abruptly drop from above freezing to properly beneath freezing, inflicting moist surfaces, similar to roads or sidewalks, to freeze shortly, in accordance with the NWS.

“If temperatures shortly drop beneath freezing behind a chilly entrance… moist roads can ‘shortly freeze’ to ice. Decelerate and don’t use cruise management,” the Nationwide Climate Service added in a Fb put up.

Anticipated temperatures: Will Michigan see subzero temperatures this week? Maps present how chilly it is going to be

What’s freezing drizzle?

In accordance with the NWS Glossaryan icy drizzle is precipitation that freezes into frost or frost upon contact with the bottom or floor constructions.

“Ice can type shortly and make roadways slippery. Decelerate in these situations, don’t use cruise management, and hold a ample distance between you and different automobiles,” the NWS stated.

Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com