Bumpy commute? Cold snaps lead to potholes

Has your commute been disrupted by an increase in potholes and damaged roads recently? You could have a cold snap to thank.

Changing weather patterns impact much more than just our daily wardrobe. Cold, wintery weather may have created potholes in the roads.

It’s all to do with how water behaves as it shifts phases. As a liquid, rain or melting snow seeps into the road surface. As temperatures fall and this freezes it expands, filling cracks and causing roads to break apart.

Once the ice melts away it leaves wider cracks in the road, impacting its structural integrity and causing potholes to appear as vehicles pass over. This includes broken suspension springs and shock absorbers.

So if the roads around you are looking worse for wear right now, it may not entirely be the city's fault. The blame also lies with wintry weather conditions. See if snow or ice is in your local forecast on the WeatherRadar.