Oregon Public Broadcasting

Weather forecasters say that Willamette Valley temperatures will rise Wednesday to near freezing.  As Pete Springer reports, that can actually make it more slippery outside.

Ice is always slippery but it can get even more slick as it warms.

This is because a slight melting will cover the ice with a thin layer of water.

Charles Dalton with the National Weather Service in Portland explains.

Charles Dalton: “And so you get that film of water on top of the ice that’s already slippery to begin with and you just reduce your surface friction that much more and it’s that much easier for your boot or your car tires, whatever it may be, to break loose.”

Dalton compares it to walking on a polished wood floor while wearing socks.  There’s not much surface friction to stop you from sliding around.

He says just how slick it’s going to get is up to the depth and temperature of the air mass near the ground.

Dalton predicts morning snow that changes to rain or sleet in the afternoon.

Then, more freezing temperatures, with the slickest conditions likely tomorrow evening and Thursday morning.