Low outside temperature indicator. Why?

[6thGen1419]

On a road trip this last week. Getting driving in the morning, an indicator came on just to the left of the speed limit sign indicator. See pic. Owners's manual says:

When the outside temperature is
approximately 37°F (3°C) or
lower, the indicator will flash for
approximately 10 seconds, then stay on.

OK, but why?

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[Tarekith]

To warn you the roads might be icy.

 

[Nodak]

this is mostly for bridges where they will freeze over faster than the road.

the road has earth underneath it so it will stay warmer for longer than a bridge with nothing underneath it to keep it warm.

 

[jjbailey930]

Been seeing those on our other cars since early 2000's

 

[6thGen1419]

Been seeing those on our other cars since early 2000's

Part of my confusion was the little snowflake looked like an X to me. If I had realized it was a snowflake, it would have clicked. I didn't realize until I read the owner's manual that it was outside temperature info. I thought it was some sort of lane assist indicator.

Gotta realize, this is the first modern car with all this tech in it that I've owned. I've driven plenty of tech loaded rentals, but I never bother to figure it out cause they're rentals.

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