In freezing weather, which areas tend to freeze last and thaw first?

In freezing weather, shaded areas, such as bridges and trees, are the places that tend to freeze last and thaw first due to their exposure to sunlight and air circulation. These locations often receive less direct sunlight throughout the day, which can cause temperatures to remain lower for longer periods, leading to them freezing faster compared to more exposed areas.

However, when conditions improve, such as when the sun rises higher in the sky, these shaded areas often warm up quicker, leading to a faster thaw. In contrast, open fields tend to freeze quickly due to their exposure to the elements, while heavily trafficked streets can stay warmer because of the heat generated by vehicles. Paved roads, while they may thaw faster than some more natural surfaces due to their materials, will often still take longer to thaw than shaded areas, especially if they have not been directly warmed by sunlight. Thus, shaded areas are the correct context for freezing last and thawing first in winter conditions.