A warm spell in February feels like a gift after weeks of cold. For drivers who park on the street or in open lots, though, a thaw brings its own set of problems. Snowbanks shrink, water pools in unexpected places and everything that melted during the day can freeze again overnight.
The refreeze trap
The most common thaw-season hazard is the overnight refreeze. Meltwater runs under parked cars, collects in gutters and pools in low spots in lots. When temperatures drop after sunset, it turns to ice. A space that felt like slush when you parked may be a sheet of ice when you return in the morning.
- Avoid parking in low spots or directly in gutters where water collects.
- Expect icy footing beside the car, especially near the driver’s door on curbside spaces.
- Pull out slowly on refrozen surfaces, with straight wheels if possible.
Newly visible rules
As snowbanks recede, things that were buried come back into view: fire hydrants, curb ramps, painted curbs, crosswalk markings and even parking signs knocked down or covered by plows. Drivers who parked by habit in a spot that seemed legal under the snow may discover a hydrant or a painted no-parking zone. Look carefully at the curb each time, since the landscape changes daily during a thaw.
Some cities also begin removing leftover space savers, clearing large snow piles or resuming street cleaning schedules when the weather allows. Temporary no-parking signs for snow removal operations can appear with short notice, so read posted signs on your block every time you park.
Slush, spray and visibility
Melting snow mixes with salt and sand to create a gray slush that sprays onto parked cars from passing traffic. It coats windows, lights, cameras and license plates. Before driving, wipe headlights, taillights and sensors, and refill washer fluid. A dirty plate can be hard for parking cameras and enforcement to read.
Deep puddles near the curb can hide potholes and curbs. When pulling into a space, go slowly enough that a hidden edge will not damage a tire or wheel.
Roof snow and falling ice
During a thaw, snow and ice slide off roofs, awnings and ledges. Cars parked close to buildings can be hit by falling chunks. Where you have the choice, park away from building edges and under open sky or a sturdy garage roof. Clear any remaining snow from your own car’s roof too, since it can slide forward onto the windshield when you brake.
Using the break wisely
A thaw is a good time to catch up on winter car care. Wash off salt buildup, including the underbody. Check tire pressure, which can swing with temperatures. Inspect wipers that may have been damaged by ice. And if a stretch of mild weather is followed by another storm in the forecast, check your city’s official site for any snow emergency or parking rule changes before you leave your car on the street.
A Daily Thaw-Season Parking Routine
During a thaw, conditions change from morning to evening and from one day to the next. A short routine keeps you ahead of those changes.
When you park
- Look at where water is going. Notice whether meltwater is running toward your space or pooling in it. If it is, pick another space if you can.
- Look up. Check for overhanging roof edges, icicles, awnings and tree branches heavy with ice above your car.
- Scan the curb. Look for newly uncovered hydrants, ramps, painted zones and signs.
- Read the poles. Look for temporary signs announcing snow removal or street cleaning.
- Think about tonight. If temperatures will drop below freezing, picture how your space will look in the morning, with the slush around your tires turned to ice.
When you return
- Look down before stepping out of a building or off a curb.
- Clear the windshield, lights, cameras and plate of slush and grime.
- Check the area around your tires for refrozen ruts or ice.
- Pull out slowly and test your brakes gently in the first few feet.
Common Thaw-Season Mistakes
- Assuming winter rules are over. A thaw is often temporary. Snow emergency rules, snow routes and seasonal restrictions may still be in effect, and new storms can arrive quickly.
- Parking where a snowbank used to be. When a big pile melts, the space it occupied may reveal a hydrant, a driveway or a no-parking zone that was hidden.
- Leaving wipers frozen in slush. A warm afternoon followed by a cold night can lock the wipers into a crust of ice. Clear slush from the base of the windshield before the evening freeze if you can.
- Splashing pedestrians. Pulling into or out of curb spaces through deep puddles can soak people on the sidewalk. Slow down near crosswalks and bus stops.
- Skipping the drain check. If the storm drain near your car is blocked by ice or debris, water may pool around your tires. Some cities welcome residents who safely clear surface debris from drains near their homes, while others ask that you report it instead. Never reach into a drain or stand in traffic to clear one.
What this means for your neighborhood
Thaw season is a good time for small acts of neighborliness. Clearing a hydrant that has reappeared, chipping ice from a shared sidewalk or removing your own leftover space saver helps the whole block. Reporting a blocked drain, a downed sign or a dangerous patch of ice to your city’s 311 line or public works department gets problems in front of the people who can fix them.
Thaw-Season Questions
Why does my car seem to sink into the space during a thaw?
Packed snow under and around a parked car can soften and settle as it melts, leaving tires in shallow ruts. If you are parked for several days, shifting the car slightly or clearing slush from around the tires can make leaving easier.
Is it safe to park under trees during a thaw?
Melting ice can make branches drop chunks of ice or even break. When you have a choice, park away from heavily loaded branches.
Should I wash my car during a thaw?
A mild day is often a good time to wash off salt. Dry door seals and locks afterward, and avoid washing late in the day if temperatures will drop below freezing overnight.
