Five Types Of Surprisingly Dangerous Weather

Where To Watch For Rounds Of Snow And Ice

Sign up for the Morning Brief email newsletter to get weekday updates from The Weather Channel and our meteorologists.

Several types of weather might not seem particularly dangerous on the surface, but they can be quite hazardous under the right conditions.

Below, we take a look at five unexpectedly dangerous weather conditions.

1. Patchy Fog And Low Clouds

Fog doesn't have to be thick or dense to cause travel concerns. Fog or low clouds limit visibility and can cause travel delays by car and air.

About 20% of vehicle crashes are weather-related each year, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Most of those involve wet pavement. Three percent of those weather-related incidents occur amid fog.

More than 450 people are killed during foggy conditions each year, a 10-year average from NHTSA data shows. This accounts for about 9% of weather-related fatalities.

Traveling can be more difficult when going through clear areas and then encountering sudden patches of fog. It is important to reduce speed when visibility is limited and to use your headlights, but not high beams.

2. Sunny Days

A bright, sunny day might not seem concerning, but in certain situations, the sun can create its own set of visual problems.

The sun can drop below a vehicle's visor in the fall and winter when it sits lower in the sky. This angle can also create a strong glare on the windshield, making it even more difficult to see.

Not only that, but the sun reflects off wet roads or nearby snow or ice, making it even harder to view possible obstacles or potential issues.

Blinding sun may have caused a crash in Maine on Jan. 7, 2020, that led to a pileup involving about 30 vehicles.

Sunglasses can help in these situations, but it is also a good idea to keep your windshield clean. Reducing your driving speed is also important to minimize your risk of an incident, especially in the mornings and evenings when the sun is rising or setting.

3. Light Snow

Snow of around 2 inches or less can cause more traffic accidents than a big snowstorm.

This is often the case when roads have not been treated and drivers do not realize how slippery the surface has already become. It's the underwhelming perception of these events that may lead to problems.

Minor winter events are deadlier (at least in the Midwest) than notable winter storms due to heavier traffic on roads and more dangerous road and visibility conditions than perceived, according to Walker Ashley, associate professor of meteorology at Northern Illinois University.

Slow your vehicle's speed and leave plenty of distance between yourself and other vehicles whenever wintry conditions develop, even if it doesn't seem slippery yet. Do not use cruise control, brake suddenly or make sharp turns during slippery conditions.

4. Light Rain

Roads are more slippery when it starts raining after it has been dry for a while. This is true even if the rain is light.

Dirt, oil and grease accumulate on roads when it is dry and turn into a slick layer on the road once it begins to rain on the mixture. After it has been raining for a while, the slippery coating is washed away, although if it puddles, then hazardous conditions remain.

The slippery conditions increase the chance of skidding and increase the safe distance needed to stop.

Hydroplaning is also a concern. It occurs when a tire is separated from the road by a thin layer of water and loses traction. The ability to steer and brake is then lost. Conditions for hydroplaning can occur during the first few minutes of a light rain.

To minimize the hazards associated with light rain:

• Check your tires and keep them properly inflated and in good repair.
• Slow down and do not slam on the brakes.
• Avoid puddles or standing water.
• Use your headlights.
• Replace windshield wipers when necessary.

5. Black Ice

Black ice is a thin coat of very transparent ice that can be nearly impossible to see on roads. It often develops after snow has melted during the day and refreezes at night.

Black ice can also develop when precipitation is falling or fell previously and then freezes when the temperature drops. Additionally, it can become a threat if moisture in the air condenses and forms dew or fog and then the temperature drops below freezing.

Bridges, overpasses and shaded spots are typical areas where black ice is found.

Black ice is an underrated danger since the worst of a storm is often over by the time it forms, and since it only occurs in some spots, motorists don't always pay attention to the risk.

(​MORE: How To Navigate Black Ice)

If you encounter black ice, do not brake but reduce your speed and hold the steering wheel straight.