Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post - Was it so long ago? Ice out on March 23rd!

jeffk · 03-23-2014, 01:06 PM

What I have observed is that WHEN it starts to thaw is not so important as the conditions. A week of warm weather, heavy rain, lots of wind can break the ice down surprisingly fast. We have had a cold March. If we got rebound temps at the beginning of April, say daytime temps 50 to 60 degrees and no freezing at night, things could turn around amazingly fast. 1991 had a record string of days: Starting on April 5th - 67, 69, 71, 80, 76, 71. In 1976: Starting on April 17th - 78, 87, 88, 91, 77. Imagine what effect that would have. Once holes start to open, wind and rain can rip up the ice fast.

So, ice out? Who knows. Typical ice out is around April 20th, I believe. That's 4 weeks out. A lot can happen by then.

03-23-2014, 01:06 PM	#3
jeffk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,162 Thanks: 205 Thanked 431 Times in 248 Posts	What I have observed is that WHEN it starts to thaw is not so important as the conditions. A week of warm weather, heavy rain, lots of wind can break the ice down surprisingly fast. We have had a cold March. If we got rebound temps at the beginning of April, say daytime temps 50 to 60 degrees and no freezing at night, things could turn around amazingly fast. 1991 had a record string of days: Starting on April 5th - 67, 69, 71, 80, 76, 71. In 1976: Starting on April 17th - 78, 87, 88, 91, 77. Imagine what effect that would have. Once holes start to open, wind and rain can rip up the ice fast. So, ice out? Who knows. Typical ice out is around April 20th, I believe. That's 4 weeks out. A lot can happen by then.