Denver weather: Black ice creates slippery, dangerous road conditions Saturday, melting weather on the way

While the snowstorm has moved out and temperatures are rising, icy road conditions are still posing challenges for Denver area drivers.

“Morning shift is in and honestly folks, roads seemed subjectively more dangerous today with a lot of black ice,” the National Weather Service’s Boulder office posted on X Saturday morning. “Be sure to take it very slow for your morning commute, and be gentle on those breaks and the gas.”

At least seven cars were involved in an early morning crash on southbound Interstate 25 Saturday that closed down the highway for more than an hour and sent at least one person to the hospital, according to the Colorado State Patrol. The highway’s icy conditions were a factor in the crash.

Black ice can form on any road, but also along curbs and drainage areas due to melting snow, according to NWS.

With temperatures rising to 40 degrees in Denver by mid-morning and peaking at 45 degrees in the afternoon, the ice likely won’t be a problem for long but will return Sunday morning after temperatures dip into the mid-20s overnight, according to NWS forecasters.

The mountains, high valleys, and foothills will see temperature highs in the 20s and 30s Saturday, so snow and ice could stick around for a while longer, forecasters said. The urban corridor and plains will see temperatures in the 40s and 50s.