Charleston, WV – With freezing air sweeping through the Appalachian region and snow showers building overnight, officials are urging drivers in Charleston, Morgantown, and Wheeling to watch for bridges and overpasses icing over faster than standard roadways.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), bridges freeze first because cold air flows above and below them, allowing heat to escape more quickly than from ground-level roads. This exposure causes bridge surfaces to reach the freezing point sooner, often resulting in invisible black ice even when main roads remain wet.
“Drivers should assume bridges and ramps are icy any time temperatures drop near freezing,” the NWS said Friday. “Even light snow or drizzle can make them dangerously slick within minutes.”
The West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) and local highway crews are pre-treating major routes including I-64, I-79, and US-50, focusing on elevated sections, curves, and river crossings. Motorists are advised to reduce speed before reaching bridges, avoid abrupt braking, and maintain a steady pace across icy spans.
Up-to-date travel conditions are available through GoRoadsWV.com and 511WV.gov, where real-time road reports and treatment updates are posted regularly.
