Making ice vs thawing temps

[Freedom1]

I am sure there is a formula to figure it out, but do you think we add ice each day when the temps are near 40 during the day and only in the 20's during the night? I wonder how much ice is made each night vs how much is lost during the day. I looked for the table of how much ice is made at certain temps, but could not locate it.

I like seeing the reports of 8-10 inches out there, but I would rather see reports of 16-18 inches of ice!

[EBass]

You have to test that out. Drill a hold measure. Go back next day and drill next to that same hole and compare. I wouldn't think much would grow. Then again that's the arm chair biology in me. So take it for what it's worth which isn't much - HA.

[Vitreus]

I too have pondered this question. This may be a little more detail than you wanted, but both temperature and pressure affect the freezing point of water. Higher pressure means colder temps are required to make ice. So barring any dramatic changes in pressure, you can assume that temperature has a pretty linear effect on the formation of ice. What I mean is that if you have water at -8 degrees celcius, it is going to freeze at approximately the same rate as water at 8 degrees celcius is going to melt (the melting point of water is 0 degrees celcius). At this time of the year, our cold nights occupy a larger percentage of time, so it is likely that ice will continue to form despite the warm days. This is of course assuming that that each night is proportionally as cold as the preceding day is warm. Hope this question is on the MCAT!

[Eric_Kruger]

I think it just kind of stays the same on days like that, anything your losing should freeze back overnight (slush that will form on top). And anything that adds overnight will thaw during the day....

[KrappieKilla]

I too have pondered this question. This may be a little more detail than you wanted, but both temperature and pressure affect the freezing point of water. Higher pressure means colder temps are required to make ice. So barring any dramatic changes in pressure, you can assume that temperature has a pretty linear effect on the formation of ice. What I mean is that if you have water at -8 degrees celcius, it is going to freeze at approximately the same rate as water at 8 degrees celcius is going to melt (the melting point of water is 0 degrees celcius). At this time of the year, our cold nights occupy a larger percentage of time, so it is likely that ice will continue to form despite the warm days. This is of course assuming that that each night is proportionally as cold as the preceding day is warm. Hope this question is on the MCAT!

This is a good assessment. Also it must be stated that the ice will probably not build or lose thickness with the highs of 40 and lows of 24 over night, but during the day the ice weakens some as sun warms it and then strengthens over night as the lows move in. Example people noting black/clear ice (strongest) and cloudy ice (weaker).

How much it weakens I don't know. But it does.

[DooWap]

It probably helps to figure out how many hours during the day that the temp is actually above freezing. I would think that even if it tops out in the 40s during the afternoon, the majority of the day is still below 32. You also have to remember that water has an enormous heat capacity. It probably takes a decent amount of time above freezing to overcome the latent heat of freezing to actually begin the melting process as well so I doubt much really does melt during the day aside from the radiant energy from the sun making it a little wet on the top.

[pathogen]

Gaining ice slowly. Sun is at a low angle and nights are longer than days.

[John478]

To many things to factor in there to give you a good answer, day time highs vs night time lows, cloudy days, sunny days. All I can say is that I’ve been fishing the same lake in pretty much the same area for the past three weeks. Three weeks ago it had 6-7” of ice and the last time I was there this past weekend it still had 6-7” of ice. Never seems to gain any but doesn’t seem to lose any either.

[BrandonJ]

Lakes ive been fishing have gained 3-4 inches in the last 2 weeks, even with the weather we've had. Allthough the quality of the ice has no doubt suffered, lots of white ice and air bubbles from water seaping through. I just hope the overnight low temps hold true for whats forcasted.

[kg2]

As pathogen noted, we have 9 hours of daylight and 15 hours of darkness right now so most of the day is still below freezing. (for what it is worth)

[dan z]

As long as the ice doesnt get any thicker I will be fine, its easier to pop holes while searching for fish, its less pressure from the permanents( sorry guys ) I just like not having to worry about houses being pulled across the lake while I'm trying to fish. I'am surprised that there is a portable left at the local shops because of the "thin" ice.

[smeese]

Spend less time worrying about others and more time fishing, and fishing becomes much more enjoyable......

[LightningBG]

The sun is certainly going to melt some on top during the warm sunny days, but then the cold comes at night and freezes it back up...But any thickness gain is going to come from bottom of the ice, not the surface. Not sure how this affects anything, but something to think about.

[queenpdog]

Throwing another variable in the mix, the big winds we have had must play a part in evaporating surface water on melting ice. I've been pondering all these questions over the last few weeks. I wish it would just get cold and I can stop pondering all this.

[dmichaelm]

glad you guys have this all figured out. i just make sure i have my friendly neighborhood climatologist with me when i go fishing. if he isn't available i bring my chisel...

[DTro]

Gaining ice slowly. Sun is at a low angle and nights are longer than days.

I would agree

[FishinFools]

7:35AM in Dakota County and we just dropped into the 30's! Temp remained in the 40's all night.

With air temps above the ice and water temps below the ice both 33deg+, you can be assured that we are losing ice. This is not good and places you were two days ago with 4-6" of ice will NOT have that same thickness tomorrow.