MEMPHIS, Tenn. — After days of dangerous winter weather, road conditions across the Mid-South are slowly improving, but the recovery process remains uneven. Some melting has occurred, especially in areas that received more sunshine and slightly warmer temperatures, but progress has been slower than many people may expect. The combination of snow and sleet has made this storm more stubborn than a typical snowfall, keeping ice locked onto roadways longer.
Snow tends to melt more efficiently when temperatures hover near or just above freezing. Sleet, however, compacts into a dense layer of ice that is far harder to break apart. In many neighborhoods, sleet was mixed in with or fell on top of snow, creating a solid sheet that resists melting even during brief warmups. As a result, improvement has been gradual rather than dramatic.
Cold overnight temperatures have also slowed recovery. Each night, whatever melting occurs during the day refreezes, leading to patches of black ice by morning. This cycle has been especially problematic on shaded roads, bridges, overpasses, and untreated surfaces, where ice can linger long after nearby pavement looks wet or clear…