ROCHESTER, N.Y. — They say there’s only three seasons in Rochester: Winter, Pothole Season, and Construction Season. We’re in the thick of Pothole Season now. So why do they show up the most in Spring? And will they stop forming anytime soon?
Pothole formation all has to do with rainfall and temperature fluctuations. Specifically, repeated bouncing above and below freezing, which is common in Spring. On a mild rainy day, water will seep through cracks in the pavement into the rocky base below. Then, when temperatures eventually drop below freezing, that water will freeze and expand, pushing the overlaying pavement upwards. This force from below plus the force from above via traffic creates lots of stress on the asphalt.
Eventually, temperatures will go back above freezing again. When this happens, the ice below the pavement will thaw, leaving an empty cavity. The next bout of traffic will then collapse the pavement. A pothole is born. As more and more traffic goes overhead, the hole becomes deeper and wider.
Springtime provides the two essential pothole ingredients in excess. That’s why they’re the most common this time of year. 5 out of the last 7 days have had measurable precipitation, and the last two days have seen freezing overnight temperatures followed by above freezing daytime temps. So, potholes are likely being born this very day. Pothole formation will slow down as we start to see consistently above freezing temperatures, and that should be the case over the next week at least.
Of course, while the weather may be the determining factor in pothole formation, it is entirely in our hands to repair them. So, bumpy roads are likely ahead until we enter Construction Season.
First Alert Weather In-Depth: The science of potholes WHEC.com.
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