What is the temperature really telling me?

[threeup]

My wife, Fredbear and I rode to Manchester last night to see their New Year Fireworks (less ambitious than London but easier to get to from here!)

The dash temperature fluctuated from 5C to 3C on the way there with the snow flake ice warning visible all the way. There was plenty of salt about as they have hardly needed it so far this winter so seemed glad of the practice!

On the way back the temperature dropped to 3, then 2 then 1 then 0C, but at no stage did the Trophy give us any cause for worry or nervousness, though caution on the exposed rural bends did seem appropriate.

This got me thinking (always a bad sign)
When (what temp reading) is it likely to be icy?
What effect does the salt actually have on the freezing point of the water on the road?
What is the temperature on the road if the temp sensor reads an air temp of 0?

We used salt with Ice in science experiments to get the melting ice down to -15C, but that often meant a lot of salt!

Anyone have any information on this?

[Coconut]

Hi threeup,

If only it were as simple as there being a direct correlation
between air and road surface temperatures !

The following Video from the UK Met. Offfce provides some useful information :

Open Site Temperature Explainer

Cheers 

[threeup]

An interesting video, thanks for the link

What this appears to mean is that without a "sophisticated road surface temperature prediction model" on my Trophy I cannot really know and have to proceed with caution!

[GarminDave]

Added to which we have to negotiate micro-climates, you know barreling down a country lane, driving it through the corner where upon you spy a shadow across the road, with a thin layer of ice on the road surface because of that shadow; certainly gets your attention.

So anytime there's a risk of icing then Proceed with Caution is a good adage.

Love, light and kindness,

Dave

[Coconut]

.... and if the road noise suddenly changes from that "swishing" sound of riding over a wet road,
to being very quiet - then be extremey careful - you could now be riding on ice 

( A good reason to consider leaving the Radio OFF when riding in potential icing conditions ! )

[threeup]

.... and if the road noise suddenly changes from that "swishing" sound of riding over a wet road,
to being very quiet - then be extremely careful - you could now be riding on ice 

Now that really sounds like experience!!!