What will this weeks warm weather do to the ice??!

Saw that this weeks forecast will be mostly in the 30s and 40s. Good weather, but will it be bad for ice making???

I am already noticing the effects of the last 2 days of warm weather. The ice is melting on top and forming lakes. then the effects of wind are deteriorating the ice quickly Too many more days of this and we are going to see a lot more open water again

I should clarify a little-This is for West Central WI around the LaCrosse area

The overnite temperatures up here on Mille Lacs will be below freezing each nite! The rate in which it will freeze will be reduced. As long as we keep the snow cover off of the ice we will still see ice depth to increase. Minimal increase but some!
this is the 10 day extended forcast for Mille Lacs
Forecast Conditions High/Low °F Precip.
Chance High Temperatures Low Temperatures Precipitation
Tonight
Dec 10 Freezing Drizzle / Fog
N/A/30° 20%

High not valid after 2pm
Mon
Dec 11 Freezing Drizzle / Fog
35°/30° 20%
35°F

Tue
Dec 12 Snow Shower
33°/25° 40%
33°F

Wed
Dec 13 Few Snow Showers
41°/22° 30%
41°F

Grab Your Skis
Thu
Dec 14 Few Snow Showers
41°/29° 30%
41°F

Fri
Dec 15 Mostly Cloudy
39°/26° 20%
39°F

Sat
Dec 16 AM Clouds / PM Sun
37°/23° 10%
37°F

Check Boat & Beach Forecast
Sun
Dec 17 Few Snow Showers
35°/17° 30%
35°F

Mon
Dec 18 Snow Shower
28°/13° 60%
28°F

Tue
Dec 19 Rain / Snow Showers
24°/8°

Bobber, what site are you getting that forcast?
thanks,
Cade

This is what I’m seeing for Stoddard, WI on Accuweather.com

Monday, Dec 11 Morning freezing drizzleLow: 37 °FHigh: 43 °

FTuesday, Dec 12 Mostly cloudy, a little rainLow: 31 °FHigh: 42 °F

Wednesday, Dec 13 Snow or flurries possibleLow: 29 °FHigh: 40 °F

Thursday, Dec 14 Partly sunnyLow: 26 °FHigh: 42 °F

Friday, Dec 15 Clouds and sunshineLow: 26 °FHigh: 38 °

FSaturday, Dec 16 Mostly cloudyLow: 27 °FHigh: 39 °

FSunday, Dec 17Rain and snow possibleLow: 19 °FHigh: 37 °

FMonday, Dec 18 Sunshine and some cloudsLow: 14 °FHigh: 31

°FTuesday, Dec 19 Plenty of sunshineLow: 13 °FHigh: 28 °

FWednesday, Dec 20 Some sunLow: 16 °FHigh: 29 °F

Thursday, Dec 21 Mostly sunnyLow: 19 °FHigh: 33 °F

Friday, Dec 22 Mostly cloudyLow: 20 °FHigh: 34 °F

Saturday, Dec 23 Mostly sunnyLow: 23 °FHigh: 37 °F

Sunday, Dec 24Times of clouds and sunLow: 24 °FHigh: 38 °F

The weather channel: web page

As far as Mille Lacs goes, I agree with Bob. I don’t think we will loose ice due to the forecasted temps as long it gets down to the mid 20’s or lower at night. The actual lows and highs are somewhat lower ON the ice than on and around land as the ice is lower(always colder in low lying areas) and simply can’t warm as fast with the ice itself in place.

Two things could CHANGE the whole situation if we don’t get a good coldsnap soon. One is a 2 plus inch wet snowfall that sticks to the ice. Ice that is this existing 2″ to 10″, can’t take much weight from the likes of snow, and will not only flood but actually be insulated from the cold on the top-side, and will melt from the bottem-side with temps on the top-side above freezing for too long a period. (how’s THAT for a long winded sentence!)

The OTHER thing? WIND!!! The Mille Lacs ice sheet is still VERY vulnerable to a 25 plus mph wind. Add a crust of snow to it so the wind can put more pressure on it’s surface and this thing could blow wide open. Yes…wind uses the snow for traction just like us.

So–if all stays status-quo–no noticable troubles until it gets REAL cold again–then wide cracks buts that BETTER than thin or no ice for sure.

Big wind? Big snow? Then dummies like me will be in a panic to get our houses off! And my brother Joe will be laughing at me as he is still a little leary. Will I be right…or older brother? lol “I told you so!!” ( I can just hear it now…) What’s worse…is he is usually right.

JUST BE “EXTRA” CAREFUL these days.

ALL for a couple fish??

Steve Fellegy

218-678-3103