Archive image. — © BELGA
The Flemish Roads and Traffic Agency (AWV) warns road users of possible slippery roads and cycle paths on Saturday night and Sunday morning. The RMI predicts winter precipitation in the coming hours, which could cause slippery conditions, especially in the east of the country, it said. Road surface temperatures drop below zero in that region.
AWV also asks drivers to be extra careful in flood-prone zones. “Here and there there is water stagnation on the road due to the heavy rain in recent days. At negative road surface temperatures, these puddles can freeze and cause local slippery conditions,” AWV says in the press release.
In addition, there may be zones where excess water finds its way over the road or cycle path. “The water immediately washes away the sprinkled salt, which can cause ice spots.”
AWV calls for rain and snow showers to be reported via the RMI app. These reports flow to the winter service’s slipperiness measurement system (GMS), which provides valuable additional information.
In any case, the gritting services will closely monitor the condition of the roads and cycle paths on Saturday evening and night. “Where necessary, the gritters are deployed.”
The RMI previously issued code yellow for the provinces of Liège and Luxembourg due to slippery conditions. Temperatures quickly become negative on Saturday night at the Ardennes heights, the RMI reports. Because the soil is wet in many places, ice spots can easily form. In addition, it may also snow a bit, with a layer of snow of one centimeter forming in six hours in the High Fens.