"It's called 'black ice' because it tends to look like the rest of the pavement on the road, although in reality, it's actually clear," the US Forest Service notes. "Black ice forms without creating bubbles, which allows it to blend in with any surface it forms over. Black ice is dangerous precisely because it's hard to detect."

While they may not be as abundant as Wednesday morning, isolated patches of ice on bridges and overpasses could still

Public officials urged Houston-area drivers to stay off the roads Wednesday after melted snow refroze overnight, leaving black ice on roadways.

Black ice is coating many roads around the area. Chief meteorologist Jonathan Novack said it will take until around 1 pm Wednesday for black ice to melt.

Black ice is a deadly driving hazard defined as patchy ice on roadways or other transportation surfaces that cannot easily be seen.

Although temperatures are rising across the Houston area after two days of snow and ice, officials are still urging motorists to exercise caution on the roads.

Chief meteorologist Jonathan Novack, Sharron and Idolina are encouraging everyone to stay safe this morning as black ice coats local roadways. We're seeing a lot of accidents Wednesday morning with a lot of vehicles stuck on roadways in below-freezing temperatures.