Rains effect on ice for Derby
 

With the fishing derby coming up this weekend I was wondering what type of effect the rain will have on the ice. Looking on the webcams looks like a lot of the snow is turning to slush on the ice. I know later on this week the temperature is suppose to drop but will that screw the ice up. This past weekend looked like everything was set up well on the ice. How will it be for snowmobiling on the ice now. I know you need the snow to keep the snowmobile cool so if the snowpack gets hard it will make it tough for the sleds to cool. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I believe we need the slush on top of the ice to freeze solid and then we need it to get covered with some snow. If it snows before the slush freezes, the snow will likely insulate a layer of slush making getting around a big problem. We need cold, then some snow.

R2B

Not looking good
 

It is not looking good for that to happen. A few snow showers on Tuesday the 26th and then clear weather through and including the weekend. Of course, it's New England, and this can change. Oh, and don't shoot the messenger, please.:laugh:

That is why I stayed with what we need, not what we are likely going the get. :)

If it would only get cold a day or two before forecasted, things might work out, but it looks like the cold gets here too late.

R2B

Central NH Can Be Prone...
 

To a January thaw. Those of us who care keep our fingers and tows crossed for it to be cold enough to get over that hump.
We are even more prone when the left coast gets hammered with winter storms, as is going on so far this season.

I think that the Fishing Derby will be a success this year as there is some good ice in the bays.

Mid February should turn things around for us snowmobiler's and bring us into late April with good trail conditions. :look: :liplick: :)

____________________

Terry

From the Moultonboro bay area, there is no problem with slush. The lake snow all turned into water and formed big puddles on the lake, which have mostly drained through cracks in the ice. This morning, even though the temp is 33, the lake is smooth, hard ice. No slush - no water. Snowmobiling will be rough without snow, but walking with boot spikes should be fine.

For an historical perspective on NH's rainy weather, today's January 26 www.citizen.com has an interview with a UNH geography professor which speaks about the last five year's overly wet & rainy weather, and looks all the way back to 1890. It sure seems like somebody up-stairs has done turned on the 'rainy cycle' and has done let it ride.

On the lighter side, these lake-ice conditions make it a terrific time to get out a golf club driver and a basket of golf balls and go hit the distance out across the lake ice. Used to have a neighbor who liked to tee up from the top of his rock breakwater.......until he moved away to Wolfeboro.:D

I think we may be in an El nino pattern here, weather experts???

Thanks for the response. Any one know if there is any snow left on the ground up there. Down here in Mass it's spotty. You go by one house and it has no snow and the one next store the ground is completely covered still. I would imagine it is the same up there. Any ideas?

Less, don't hit the golf balls out on the ice. Talking from experience, it is not fun at all being caught off guard by a skipping golf ball traveling close to 100MPH. Although the distance would be unreal, dry air gives you more distance, but think of the guy sitting on a bucket jigging a hole, reaching for his Thermos when; ZAPP!

The ice for the derby will be fine. With no snow in the forecast and low temps of 21 degrees Wednesday, 14 on Thursday and 7 on Friday, the lake should be frozen solid and like a skating rink for derby weekend.

Good luck to all participants!

Dan

HOUSE BILL 1500
AN ACT relative to hitting golf balls onto any Lake in NH
SPONSORS: jmen24
COMMITTEE: Resources, Recreation and Development
ANALYSIS
This bill establishes restrictions on the hitting golf balls on any Lake in NH

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Ten
AN ACT relative to hitting golf balls
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1. Don't hit the golf balls out on the ice. Talking from experience, it is not fun at all being caught off guard by a skipping golf ball traveling close to 100MPH. Although the distance would be unreal, dry air gives you more distance, but think of the guy sitting on a bucket jigging a hole, reaching for his Thermos when; ZAPP!

2. Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2011.

Want to go hit some winter golf? The Waterville Valley par-3 golf course is showing lots of green grass................fore!

Yesterday's big rain reduced the open trails at the downhill ski mountain from 46 to 38.

WV cross country went from 40-km of groomed & tracked trails to about 4-km of iffy, washed out, hard-icy skiing over on the corner closer to the mt.

Oh well.....the weather rules.....whatcha gonna do?

My neighbor does this, but he purchased floating golf balls and he goes for a swim after his workout.

Of course, this works much better in July and August when he does it. :D

Back on subject, I just finished a ride down to Alton and then back up to Meredith. The ice looks clear of slush everywhere. It is also clear of snow.

This is good news as I expected to see a lot of slush.

We now need the weather to get cold, which it is forecasted to do. A two inch or more topping of snow whould be great for the sleds. That might come Thursday night.

All in all, ice conditions are much better than I expected to see.

R2B

snow golf balls
 

take small snowballs, put them in the freezer, hit them on the lake. When they thaw (if they don't break when you hit them) they will bring the lake up. How many ice balls will it take to bring the lake up 1"?:emb:

Good to hear. Any idea what the thickness is in Meredith. The sled is not going to work to well on that ice, but maybe it's thick enough for the truck? I need 14" of clear solid ice to feel comfortable.

I do not know, but perhaps someone who has been out there will and give a report.

R2B

I went up Mount Major this morning. The lake looked a lot less slushy than I thought it was going to be. Cold temps at night all this week should help with the thickness. Lets hope Thursday brings the snow.

I was just at Dive Winnipesaukee in Wolfeboro. They are gearing up for the derby. Got a couple thousand smelt in today and have more coming.

As far as driving out on the ice, I saw trucks in Alton Bay, near the runway. I'd talk to the locals in whatever town you are going to be in before you drive out on the lake.

I was fishing at my shanty today on alton bay and the ice is solid and very little snow cover but be aware we lost 2-2.5" of ice with this past warm spell and rain. Edges are weaker and fishing holes have in some cases doubled in size.
Out to the bandstand is 12" was 14.5"
Out to Sandy Point is 10" was 12.5"

Meridith Ramp was rope off and not looking good as of this am, ice is probably around 8-10"

A regulation golf ball is 2.48271 cubic inches.
Therefor the answer to your question without compensation for ice density is 116,422,478,340. Oh, was that a rhetorical question...:D

Right now there is some good news!

1) It is snowing, not that much yet, but it is starting to cover the ice.

2) We are below freezing and we will be below freezing, even below zero at times, for the next several days.

The wind will come up when the arctic front comes through in a few hours. That could blow the small amount of snow on he ice around. However, the front looks to have a squall line ahead of it, so we will likely see heavy snow when it comes through.

Good luck to all the fishermen and be safe out there!

R2B

After the warm temps, are there any parts of the lake that have become unsafe that were locked in last week?

I have heard reports of areas losing 2 to 3 inches of ice thickness, but I have not measured that myself. Obviously, the warm weather has melted some ice. The question is how much ice has melted and how quickly we can the ice recover in the next day, or so.

You really need to drill holes and check the places you will be on. Do not count on everything being safe for now.

R2B

Use Extreme Caution on the Ice this weekend.
 

I would hope everyone will use caution this weekend. I know right in Meredith Bay I lost an inch or two under my bobhouse. I hear the broads are not consistent in ice depths this year. Over by Steamboat running towards Long Island was reported as not safe last weekend and that was before our thaw. Please use common sense, and if you do go on the ice, be careful. Snowmobilers especially, If the wind blows this inch of fluffy snow off, there will be no good lubrication for your sliders. I can't tell you how many times when I worked in sled shops that I got a call "my sled is on the ice and won't move". I'm glad I have my ATV and I just put my tire chains on. Have fun see you out there! Any winni.com friends stop by, you can't miss my house on Meredith Bay right near Derby HQ.

It's snowing right now in Wolfeboro. At least there will be snow out on Lake Winni to cool the snowmobiles. Weather is looking good/cold for the next few days too.

Gusty Wind
 

We're getting strong, gusty wind here tonight. It's already hit the upper 30s and the National Weather Service is predicting gusts of up to 50 mph tonight and 40 mph during the day tomorrow (Friday). We're seeing many spots of bare ice in the moonlight tonight. It's getting very cold, too ... temp. is down to 18 degs right now. I'll try to post a photo tomorrow showing what snow remains on the ice in the Minge Cove area.

Suggest you check out the Pine Island cam shot; wind, snow, blue water, mountains, morning sun, and a black crow braced on top of the flagpole......whatapicture!

http://www.dailywolfeboro.com/blog/w...ng-300x199.jpg

Took this photo about an hour ago. The ice houses and vehicles are off of the edge of Clark Point in Wolfeboro Bay.

My full post and bigger photo is here.

Bitterly Cold & Windy Day
 

This panorama was taken at about 10:30 am this morning from just west of Minge Cove in West Alton looking from northeast to southeast across the frozen lake. The outside temperature was 9 degrees and the wind was gusting up to 50 mph at the time the photo was taken.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...rama-Large.jpg


Click Here for a much larger version of the panorama.

Thanks DRH!

Cold and windy day!
 

Shot from Brewster Beach in Wolfeboro Jan. 29, 2010.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...m/IMG_1037.jpg

Baby it's cold outside!
 

Better bring those ice creepers -- the wind overnight and today has blown most of the snow off the ice except on the downwind side of the islands. The gusts will blow you and your gear off the lake today! I have a new set of Kahtoola micro spikes crampons that work really really well. Pull on quick and easy and won't fall off. Way better than Yaktrax.