What is an important factor when assessing road conditions during winter?

When assessing road conditions during winter, temperature plays a crucial role. This is because the temperature directly affects the state of the road surfaces. For instance, when temperatures are at or below freezing (32°F or 0°C), ice can form on the roads, particularly in shaded areas or during the early morning and late evening hours. Additionally, wet pavement can freeze when the temperature drops, creating hazardous conditions. Therefore, understanding the temperature is essential for drivers to gauge the likelihood of icy patches or other winter road hazards.

While factors like time of day, traffic volume, and sunlight may influence driving conditions, they are secondary to the actual temperature. Time of day might impact visibility or traffic patterns, but it does not inherently affect road surface conditions like freezing. Traffic volume is more about congestion than safety related to ice or snow. Sunlight can help melt ice but is variable and does not guarantee safety on roads. Therefore, temperature is the key factor for evaluating winter driving conditions.