Wind Effect on Ice

[wllye]

Just wondering what effect wind has on ice that has a snow covering of six inches or more.
had lots of ice here in montana but the weather this week is in the 40’s and windy
Thanks John

[chysteve]

I'm not sure exactly what you're asking, but down here wind can have a drastic and dangerous effect on ice. I've been on a lake where I'm standing on a foot of good ice casting into open water 20 ft. away because the wind has hit that spot just right. As a general rule, I'm extremely cautious on any lake which is subjected to wind and will usually walk and prod the ice to check instead of just driving on w/ 4 wheeler or snowmobile.

[whitey88]

It depends upon how much ice, we have two - two and a half feet, 2 inches of snow. Ratio of snow to ice I think is a big factor, also lake layout, if its a large open section that is really exposed to wind you have to watch for heaves. Some places here we see people make bridges over them for vechicle travel. Its more about knowing your lake and your ice. I was always told gorwing up, there is no such thing as safe ice

[Burr]

The bigger the lake, the more wind can demonstrate the power to obliterate ice up to 18 inches thick.

Small bodies of water I would not be concerned. Large bodies of water, with less than a foot of ice, wind can really do a number on the ice.

[whitey88]

If youre in the LOW area anytime close to now the ice up by pine island has a perfect display of this, very rough conditions, thick ice building up