How much Ice?

[Marshall1117]

I just wanted to know if someone out there could answer this question... Let’s say it stays 10 degrees for 3 days. How much ice is being made at that temp? I know it hasn't been 10 degrees for a straight 24 hours, but I was just wondering.

Thanks

[BDR]

Way too many variables to give any answer. Wind, Water temps prior, Air temps prior, sunshine....

[Kyle Sandberg]

My guess would be about a inch every 24 hours.

[Guest]

I have been seeing an average of 1/2" per day packing on the lakes now if that helps any.

Lots of variables that dictate the ice conditions. Right now there is no snow on the ice here, and its been very cold at night, and not very warm in the day(cities).

[ThinIce2006]

We've been gaining about an inch a day up here in Ely, on the protected lakes, the open water larger lakes are slower to build safe ice due to currents, wind, etc.

[Scott M]

Once the first 1" of ice has formed - here is how it builds up in 2" increments at 0 degrees mean temp.

At 0 degrees F, it goes from 1" to 3" in about 6.72 hours, 3" to 5" in 13.44 hours, and 5" to 7" in about 20.16 hours. So to go from 1" to 7" it takes a total of about 40 hours at 0 degrees. Of course this is with pure water, no wind, currents. etc. As you can see, the thicker ice is, the slower the freezing process becomes, since ice itself acts as an insulator. Add snow on top of that and the formula goes completely out the window.

From a chart given to me by the DNR using 0 degrees constant (F).

[NAPAFISH]

I think a better question would be "Why do some freeze faster than others?" I think the many variables play a huge part.

[Steve Foss]

God is in the details.

Most small and/or shallower lakes up here have six to 10 inches on them after this last cold snap.

But larger lakes, those with current and those that are deep and cool more slowly in the fall, still have a few pockets of open water.

You can supply an icing rate if you have static conditions at a fixed temperature, but such things rarely happen in nature, and it's just better to gauge things as you go. Such formulas may matter a lot to scientists in a lab, but we don't control nature. Nature has nothing in common with a laboratory.

In some cases, four inches of ice is strong enough to support a lot of weight, while four inches of milky or bubbled ice will give way to a single walking ice angler.