Why Ice Looks Different - and the Invisible Danger of Black Ice Black ice is a thin, nearly invisible layer of ice that forms when water freezes smoothly on surfaces like roads, sidewalks, or pavements. Despite its name, it is not actually black. The term comes from the way the transparent ice blends in with the dark color of the asphalt beneath it, making it extremely difficult to see. Black ice typically forms in cold, calm conditions, often overnight or early in the morning, when temperatures