As summer rolls on in Louisiana, the heat isn’t just something we expect—it’s practically a way of life. But the big question on everyone’s mind is, what crazy thing is going to happen today because of the heat?
Is it going to be a power outage? Will businesses have to close because their air conditioning breaks down? Or will something truly bizarre happen, like the roads literally exploding?
Can Louisiana Roads Explode?
Believe it or not, roads can explode in extreme heat—and yes, it’s happened in Louisiana. But don’t panic! When people say roads explode, they don’t mean a bomb went off. Instead, the term is used to describe a series of phenomena that happen to roads when the heat gets too intense.
How Heat Affects Louisiana Roads
The heat doesn’t just make us uncomfortable—it can wreak havoc on the infrastructure beneath our feet. Roads in Louisiana can buckle, melt, and even pop when temperatures soar.
Buckling: When the road gets too hot, it can push up and crack, forming a ramp that can damage cars. Imagine driving along and suddenly feeling like you’re in a rollercoaster!
Melting: Asphalt, which is commonly used in road construction, starts to melt at 120°F. But that doesn’t mean the air temperature has to be 120°F. Road surfaces can reach 120°F even when the air temperature is around 95°F, especially when they’re in direct sunlight.
Explosions or Pops: In some cases, roads can pop or even explode. This happens when certain parts of the road that have been patched or are weak, heat up and crack open. This leads to chunks of road flying into the air and possibly reopening potholes that were patched.
How Hot Does It Have to Be for Roads to Buckle or Melt?
While there’s no exact temperature that guarantees roads will buckle or melt, we can use the melting point of asphalt as a general guideline. Once road surface temperatures hit 120°F, the asphalt can begin to melt, leading to the problems mentioned above.
Another factor is how materials in the road expand under heat. This includes moisture, the bonding of materials, and the condition of the ground beneath the road. When these elements are stretched too much, the road can buckle, crack, or even explode.
The Wild Side of Louisiana Summer Heat
It may sound strange, but it’s just another reminder of how intense the Louisiana heat can get. Roads melting, buckling, and popping might sound like something out of a disaster movie, but it’s a very real possibility when temperatures rise.
So, next time you’re out driving and see a cracked road or a pothole that wasn’t there before, don’t be too surprised—it’s just the Louisiana heat doing its thing.