Freezing rain creates black ice hazards

Freezing rain created black ice and hazardous driving conditions in this region overnight, with some school districts canceling some or all morning buses and some delaying class startup times.

Montana Department of Transportation listed this morning black ice on U.S. Highway 2 and on U.S. Highway 87 as well as on Wildhorse Road and St. Joe Road.

A special weather statement from Weather Service said the ice might stick around a while and create continued dangerous conditions.

"Reports from the area indicate side roads and sidewalks are especially slick in some locations, including in Havre," it said. "The icy glaze may linger for the next few days with temperatures expected to remain at or below freezing."

Chinook Public Schools announced on Facebook that school would start today on time for students who can make it.

No morning bus service would run in Chinook but buses will run in the afternoon for students who can make it to school.

"Take your time getting to school; it's better to be a little late and in one piece than injured or in a ditch somewhere," the post said. "Parents: use your best judgment. Stay safe Beeters!"

Havre Public Schools announced this morning that out-of-town school buses will not run this morning.

The announcement said the out-of-town buses will run this afternoon.

Box Elder Public Schools announced on Facebook that its schools will have a 9 a.m. start time and that buses are running at least an hour late.

National Weather Service issued a warning this morning about the black ice.

"A brief period of freezing rain developed near the Havre vicinity early this morning, which can form a thin glaze of ice that can accumulate on any surface, including sidewalks and roads," it said. "Those traveling this morning should remain alert for changing conditions and are urged to slow down in anticipation of slippery roads."

The warning added that black ice can be more dangerous than snow, as it may not appear obvious at first and can form on any surface. People traveling should be alert for changing driving conditions and are urged to slow down, it said.

Montana Department of Transportation's online road conditions map about 7 a.m., and still at about 11 a.m., showed black ice on U.S. Highway 2 from about Hingham to east of Harlem by about Dodson and on U.S. Highway 87 from Big Sandy to Havre.

It also shows black ice on Montana secondary highways 232 and 233 north of Havre, Wild Horse and St. Joe roads.

The map shows scattered frost and ice on many other routes including on U.S. Highwhay 87 from Big Sandy to south of Carter and on the southern portion of Montana Secondary Highway 223 between Chester and Fort Benton and Highway 241 north of Harlem and for 17 miles south of Fort Belknap Agency.

Temperatures are expected to be about freezing in the region today with lows in the single digits to teens, a bit warmer near Hays and Lodge Pole in the Little Rocky Mountains, with highs Wednesday mostly in the 20s and lows in the single digits to teens, again a bit warmer in the Little Rockies.

Temperatures are expected to be a bit warmer starting Thursday with highs the rest of the week in the 30s and 40s and lows mostly in the 20s.

The National Weather Service forecast for the region at about 11 a.m. did not predict rain the rest of the week.