Fall weather is showing its unpredictable side and bringing the first serious hazards to Slovakia’s roads. Although daytime temperatures in many places are still climbing to pleasant levels, reaching up to 20 °C, mornings and nights are already bringing a sharp drop in temperature. Slovak drivers and transport operators should exercise extra caution, as the combination of moisture and frost can catch even drivers off guard on familiar routes.
When and Where the Greatest Risk Lies
The most critical period is during the early morning and nighttime hours. Temperatures across most of the country range from 3 to 9 °C, but in colder valleys and basins, they drop well below freezing, occasionally as low as –3 °C.
The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute warns that danger lurks especially where three factors converge:
- Thick fog, which significantly reduces visibility on the road.
- Wet roads following a cold night or evening precipitation.
- Localized black ice, which forms unexpectedly, especially on bridges, overpasses, in forested areas, and on shaded sections of roads.
A change in the weather is coming starting Wednesday
A calmer, though chilly, start to the week will change by midweek. Starting Wednesday, October 21, through Friday, October 23, cloud cover will increase from the west, and meteorologists are forecasting rain or showers in some areas. Wet and slippery roads will thus make the daily commute to work or school more difficult for drivers. Although a significant onset of winter and snowfall in the lowlands is not expected yet, driving in the morning requires a cool head.
You can view more detailed forecasts and alerts for your region at any time directly on the iMeteo.sk portal.
How to Stay Safe on Morning Commutes
If you’re getting behind the wheel in the early morning hours, experts recommend following a few basic rules to help you avoid skidding and accidents:
- Slow down—don’t drive fast on treacherous stretches of road or in fog; braking distances on cold asphalt are significantly longer.
- Maintain a safe following distance—this will help you avoid having to brake suddenly on icy or wet surfaces.
- Check your lights—use the correct fog lights and make sure your windows are completely free of morning frost before you start driving.
Source: regiony.zoznam.sk
