Louisiana’s humid climate brings long, hot summers and mild winters, with ice and snow rarely posing an issue for residents in Baton Rouge or throughout the state. However, ice can occasionally form on surfaces even when temperatures remain above freezing. These unexpected icy patches can create hidden hazards, increasing the risk of car accidents or slip-and-falls on bridges, shaded sidewalks, or outdoor stairways.
Discover how and why this happens and how a Louisiana slip-and-fall lawyer can help you pursue fair compensation if you’ve been injured on someone else’s property.
How Ice Forms Above Freezing Temperatures
Ice can form even when the air temperature is slightly above 32°F. This happens because weather reports typically measure air temperature, not surface temperature. Ground-level surfaces can often be colder, creating conditions for ice to develop.
- Cold Surfaces and Moisture: Materials like concrete, metal, or asphalt cool faster than the surrounding air. Moisture from rain, fog, or condensation can freeze on these cold surfaces, especially on bridges and overpasses where air circulates above and below.
This creates black ice, which is nearly invisible and can cause vehicles to lose traction, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Night-Time Cooling: On clear, calm nights, surfaces lose heat rapidly due to radiational cooling. Without sunlight, cloud cover, or wind to retain warmth, the ground cools. This causes water on the surface to freeze, even if the air temperature is above freezing.
Understanding these conditions can help you stay alert to hidden dangers and prevent accidents in areas where unexpected ice may form.
Where Is Ice Most Likely to Form?
Recognizing where ice is most likely to form can help you avoid slip-and-fall accidents or car crashes. Here are some common areas to watch out for:
- Bridges and Overpasses: These surfaces freeze more quickly than regular pavement because they lose heat from all sides. As a result, they are frequent hotspots for ice formation, creating a hazard for drivers and pedestrians.
- Shaded Areas: Locations that don’t receive direct sunlight, such as the north side of buildings, are more likely to develop ice. Pedestrians walking on sidewalks in these shaded areas are at higher risk of slipping on hidden patches of ice.
- Exterior Stairs and Walkways: Exterior stairs, often made from metal or concrete, are durable but retain little heat. This makes them more susceptible to freezing than other materials, such as wood or anti-slip surfaces, increasing the risk of slips and falls.
- Sloped Driveways or Parking Lots: Water runoff in sloped areas can freeze overnight, forming thin, nearly invisible patches of black ice. These icy spots are hazardous for drivers, as they can cause vehicles to lose traction unexpectedly.
Staying vigilant in these high-risk areas can help you navigate icy conditions more safely and avoid potential accidents.
Staying Safe in Icy Conditions
Even though icy conditions are rare in Louisiana, a little preparation can go a long way in keeping you safe:
- Stay Safe as a Pedestrian: Wear shoes with good grip, and skip shortcuts through shaded or untreated areas. Keep an eye on walkways where ice might linger, and avoid stairways without railings whenever possible.
- Drive With Caution: Slow down, leave extra space between you and other cars, and take extra care on bridges, overpasses, and shaded roads during cool mornings or evenings when ice is more likely to form.
If black ice causes an accident, contact a Louisiana car accident lawyer immediately. They can help determine if a municipality or property owner failed to keep roads safe and guide you through the next steps.
These measures can help you navigate icy conditions more safely and protect your rights if an accident occurs.
Injured Due to Ice? Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers Can Help
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident or slip-and-fall caused by unexpected icy conditions, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. While wintry conditions and slippery surfaces are rare in Louisiana, they are often preventable.
Our experienced attorneys at Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers can protect your rights after an accident. We can help you determine whether a local business owner or government entity failed to keep their walkable or drivable surfaces safe. Contact our offices today for a free case review.
Disclaimer: This content has been reviewed by Chad Lederman, Director of Legal Operations at our New Orleans office.