We’re in the middle of the winter season, which we also know by another name: pothole season.

With this week’s break from frigid temperatures, road crews trying to keep up with them face big challenges. The constant melting and refreezing this winter has made the problem worse than usual, South Bend Street department workers told the South Bend Tribune.

One problem facing road repairs is asphalt factories not opening up until the spring, meaning potholes are patched over with a temporary “cold mix.”

If you sustain pothole damage that you believe the city or state is responsible for, you can file a tort claim.