Snow is a coming

[LMITOUT]

Cancel ice fishing for this year. Snow is coming just when we are trying to make some decent ice for once. Now the only ingredient left in this perfect storm is a 45° day to melt the snow on the ice to make a slush layer that will really mess it up for the rest of the year.

I'm not sure why people think I'm pessimistic. Does it show?

[blueroof]

Dan, your probably feeling the stress of being overworked, between the two ice shows and getting near go-time for your winter guiding, you must be busy! It is going to be cold, the light fluffy snow isn't going to hurt the ice, it will only make it pretty for ya while your working. It is going to be cold, just keep repeating that. LB

[LMITOUT]

I think you have the wrong Dan! But, yeah...I am feeling the stress of being overworked and getting close to go-time for my winter fishing!

[blueroof]

Good call, my bad. LB

[Jeremy airjer W]

There was a simular start to the season 2-3 years ago in the metro. A bunch of snow fell on top of new ice and everyone freaked out. Turns out it barely fazed the ice. The ice was never that good but we never really got that cold either

[Carp-fisher]

Quote:

---

There was a simular start to the season 2-3 years ago in the metro. A bunch of snow fell on top of new ice and everyone freaked out. Turns out it barely fazed the ice. The ice was never that good but we never really got that cold either

---

If you are talking about the winter of 05/06, I'm going to have to disagree. From weater.umn.edu, here is the historical temperature data for Eden Prairie from that time:

Nov 26, 2005 28 13

Nov 27, 2005 45 27

Nov 28, 2005 52 30

Nov 29, 2005 30 16

Nov 30, 2005 20 15

Dec 1, 2005 18 6

Dec 3, 2005 16 6

Dec 4, 2005 13 0

Dec 5, 2005 4 -7

Dec 6, 2005 8 -8

Dec 7, 2005 22 0

Dec 8, 2005 21 -2

Dec 9, 2005 18 -1

I remember we received about 6 inches of snow on Nov 29/30th on top of a couple of inches of ice. I tried to ice fish after Dec 9th and was shocked about how little the ice had thickened--up to about 3.5". I also remember that I couldn't drive on the ice in the metro until February 20th, 2006. So if we get the 6" of snow that is predicted, it may be a bad season again.

On the plus side, I rarely drive on the ice anyway, so I enjoyed some unusal solitude on the lakes that winter.

[LMITOUT]

That is exactly right. That winter was horrible! There was a layer of slush on top of the ice and then that froze, leaving a void inbetween the layers. I remember trying to pull my portable across the lake after that slush froze over and every step you broke through, hoping you hit something solid on the other side. The ice never did fully recover after that point until much later, but even then it was not a "true" 16" of ice, etc. with that layer of crud on the top.

[Carp-fisher]

Yeah snow is a very powerful insulator. Hopefully this storm shifts down into Iowa...

[Eric Wettschreck]

Down in the prairie it won't bother us a bit.

The 6 inches that fall on Friday will blow off the lake by Saturday. The ice will still form and we'll have a shore line full of snow for banking up the sides of the fish house.

[Zdaddy76]

The snow shouldn't effect lakes that aren't frozen over yet at all. It will only chill the water more if it's open. So in reality it would be best for the bigger lakes to stay open through this snow event and then freeze after the snowfall. For the smaller lakes that are already making ice they should have 3-4 inches of really nice ice before the snow flies so they could be minimally effected. Also, since it will be really cold during and after the snowfall the snow should for the most part just blow off the lakes. Cliff Clavin anyone???

---Zdaddy

[perchman]

since when has a weather "prediction" been correct? :->

[icemac33]

Cliff Clavin is the man. I'll file future snow storms under "waddaya gonna do?". There will be ice somewhere, somehow. In the meantime, I plan on being on the ice while it's snowing. I love fishing during a good snowstorm.I'll probably even drag my mini portable with me. Game on!

[munchy71]

Quote:

---

Yeah snow is a very powerful insulator. Hopefully this storm shifts down into Iowa...

---

We don't want it either. We've got enough small lakes that are almost locked that the snow would really screw up!!

Let's send it down to Texas or Missouri and enjoy the news clips of them trying to drive thru snow. Popcorn anyone???

-Munchy

[DEADhead]

or you could send it north, so we could ride our sleds this weekend

[slipperybob]

That horrible 05-06 year of snow and lack of hard ice, that's the year I fell through the cracks and ended on leg in the hole! Lost my prescription glasses and a few other things.

[mojocatt]

Yeah, fingers crossed for the dry fluff that blows off the lake and is easy to shovel.

Altough this storm is going to tap gulf moisture...usally that mean heavy and wet...

Paul Douglas does seem a little excited about this one coming though (although he remains fairly conservitive). When he gets excited he seems to stand an equal chance of being dead wrong, or we are about to get clobbered. There does not seem to be much middle ground.

[mojocatt]

Oh, and I just got this in my inbox.

-----------------------------

Issued at: 2:05 PM CST 11/29/07, expires at: 10:15 PM CST 11/29/07

Winter storm watch in effect from Saturday morning through late Saturday night, The NWS in twin cities/chanhassen has issued a winter storm watch, which is in effect from Saturday morning through late Saturday night.

A powerful low pressure system will move across the upper midwest this weekend, and likely bring significant wintry weather to much of Minnesota and wisconsin. The snow is expected to begin on saturday morning across the area, and become heavy across central and south central Minnesota and west central wisconsin on Saturday afternoon and early evening. A period of sleet or freezing rain is possible on Saturday afternoon and evening, mainly along and south of a new ulm to red wing line.

By Saturday night, snow accumulations exceeding six inches appear possible across much of central and south central minnesota and west central wisconsin, including in the alexandria, st cloud, mankato, twin cities, and eau claire communities.

Strong winds also appear likely with this storm, which will make travel even more dangerous.

A winter storm watch means there is a potential for significant snow, sleet, or ice accumulations that may impact travel. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.

[fishinJohn]

Quote:

---

Let's send it down to Texas or Missouri and enjoy the news clips of them trying to drive thru snow. Popcorn anyone???

---

Heh Heh funny and true. The whole state shuts down. Although I'd probably look dumb if I came across rattle snakes and scorpions.

[LMITOUT]

It's HERE!!!!!!!!

Twas a good fishing season. Time to get the boat ready again.

[harvey lee]

I have seen plenty of poor ice starts and always get out fishing. One may need to travel to fish but it can be done.

We will have fishable ice but may need to walk or 4-wheel a little more.

See you out fishing.

[LMITOUT]

From the way the ice looked on a LOT of lakes around this area just yesterday and now with snow covering up the bad spots so you can't see them, it'll be a while before I even walk out.

I have a feeling there will be a lot of search and rescues/recovery this month.