With the bitter cold over Valentine’s Day weekend many of the larger lakes in and around the Adirondacks skimmed over with ice. Some of these bodies of water formed substantial ice thickness (temperatures reported in the -20℉ range).
Many areas in the Adirondacks then received an inch of rain on Tuesday, with temperatures reaching the high 40’s.
The recent shifts in the weather have caused unsafe ice conditions! We do not recommend going out on the ice this weekend, but if you’re going to, please read these suggestions in addition to our existing ice safety tips:
- Bring a spud-bar or ice chisel so you can check the thickness of the ice.
- Do not use motor vehicles on the ice this weekend.
- Soft spots will be around the shoreline, use caution and make sure you’ll be able to get off the ice once you get on!
- Bring traction devices such as crampons or creepers, as well as safety equipment (rope, ice spikes, flotation device).
- Avoid inlets, outlets, dock and piers.
- Bring dry clothes with you!
Be safe and use good judgement – a lake trout isn’t worth falling through the ice for!
Source: NYS DEC Press Release Issued February 2016
