If you travelled through the Kawarau Gorge on Saturday (January 21), you may have seen a sign warning of ‘summer ice’.  

You may also have wondered what it meant.

The Waka Kotahi Transport Agency illuminated sign is to warn motorists that during long dry spells, dust, dirt, and oil build up on the road surface. 

When it rains, this greasy cocktail is released by moisture and can make the road surface extremely slippery, with the greatest risk to drivers shortly after the onset of rain. 

“We advise anyone who is driving in the rain or on a damp road over the coming days to take extreme care,” Waka Kotahi Lower South Island journey manager Nicole Felts said.

“The slippery film on the surface of the road is invisible, so don’t assume it’s not there just because you can’t see it.”

But judging by comments on a local Facebook page, it appears quite a few people don’t know what the term ‘summer ice’ means.

A local resident posted on Facebook, his concern about the sign and has received over 100 comments, with not one respondent knowing what summer ice refers to.

“My concern is, if I as a long term local is confused about this signage, then what chance does a tourist have? Yes there should be a warning about the state of the road. But the warning should be clear. And I shouldn’t have to google it,” he told the Central App.

Stall owner Cherry McElligott has had people stop to ask what the sign means.

The sign is positioned 5km west of Cromwell on the road to Queenstown, just past the McElligott fruit stall.

“We’ve had a couple of people stop and ask if we know what the sign means,” stall owner Cherry McElligott said.

“Some were curious, but some were confused and concerned”. 

The Central App approached Waka Kotahi for comment, and Waka Kotahi media manager Frances Adank said the “smooth, flushed areas are slippery when wet, and the combination of ‘summer’ and ‘ice’ should convey this definition.”

The danger of an invisible, slippery-as-ice surface presents the same dangers to unsuspecting motorists as black ice in winter, and the worst of these sites may have temporary warning signs in place to identify the hazard. 

Waka Kotahi advises drivers to:

• keep speeds down on wet roads after a long, dry period
• take extra care on curves and bends
• increase your following distance from vehicles in front of you
• brake gently
• allow extra travel time in case you encounter summer ice conditions.
• check the tread level and air pressure on their tyres.

Find more information here