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jeffk · 01-14-2009, 12:56 PM

Does anyone have a rough estimate of how fast the ice thickens?

I know there are a bunch of factors, thickness of existing ice, snow cover, wind, currents, sun, clouds, etc. I'm not looking for an exact answer, just a rule of thumb.

Something like, for example, at 10 degrees a bare (no snow cover) ice surface will add about 1 inch of ice a day. You could then guesstimate a 4 day cold snap with temps 10 degrees or lower could add a half foot of ice or so.

I've poked around a bit and I found some rather complex formulas but no simple estimates.

01-14-2009, 12:56 PM	#3
jeffk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,246 Thanks: 216 Thanked 483 Times in 277 Posts	How fast does ice thicken? Does anyone have a rough estimate of how fast the ice thickens? I know there are a bunch of factors, thickness of existing ice, snow cover, wind, currents, sun, clouds, etc. I'm not looking for an exact answer, just a rule of thumb. Something like, for example, at 10 degrees a bare (no snow cover) ice surface will add about 1 inch of ice a day. You could then guesstimate a 4 day cold snap with temps 10 degrees or lower could add a half foot of ice or so. I've poked around a bit and I found some rather complex formulas but no simple estimates.