Official 2010 Ice-Out Thread

[Island Girl]

This is the Official 2010 Ice-Out thread. It is hard to believe that were are watching the ice melt so soon. We should be still snowmobiling!

Put your comments, observations, warnings, experiences, PhotoPost images, etc here for all to follow our annual quest to go boating again on Winnipesaukee and the other lakes in the region. The Ice-Out Page (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm) is up on Snake Eyes at www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm) where you will find views of all the Lake Winnipesaukee webcams, courtesy of their owners. Other lakes can be viewed on the Lake Cams Page (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/lakecams.htm) at http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/lakecams.htm (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/lakecams.htm).

Happy Boating!
IG

The bad links on this note have been fixed.

[corollaman]

Bring it. I'm ready for some kayaking.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Maybe it's just my computer, but the links to your ice-out page aren't working. I assume Snake Eyes is down due to power failure?

I cannot wait to see what is going on in DRH's neck of the woods!

Thanks IG. I look forward to your Ice-Out page every year.

[DRH]

Maybe it's just my computer, but the links to your ice-out page aren't working. I assume Snake Eyes is down due to power failure?

I cannot wait to see what is going on in DRH's neck of the woods!

Thanks IG. I look forward to your Ice-Out page every year.

RG, there appear to be typos in both links. This one works: http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm And yes, power is out on Rattlesnake. According to DBA, it could be out for a number of days until NH Elec. Coop can free up a crew to go out to the island with Airboat Guy and repair the damage. I'll be posting my daily ice-out photos very soon!

[Pepper]

I am SOOOOOOO ready for spring! :D:D:D

[Chaos]

DRH can't wait for your pics. They are my Ice Out yardstick. After the last few summers, I have some serious boating to do!

[trfour]

It's way too early for ice out. Us snowmobile rs would like to wring out a few more rides around here!
This winter started off in good shape with the snow and lots of hard work from the Clubs to get the trails ready. Then the cold got the Lake to kick, and we were styl'in.
The winter of 2009-2010 was well on it's way to help put the pain of the economy behind us.
The ice boater's had their best year since years, a new organised tradition of Ice Hockey got under way in Meredith, the Ice Airport was in very good hands with Paul & Crew.
The Alton Bay International Winter Fest got a HUGE BOOST, when the "Forum Flyer" was taken out of mothballs, only to go forward and win the bed race in that event!

Now, I can find my way around the dance floor. I would invite any of you to check me out.

When the Lake kicked, I started my snow dance, only to find that being in Texas, at the time, I forgot all about my being a transplant. I was wanting any of my effort at the time to be forwarded to my beloved Lakes Region.

Well, as it has turned out, and ask Janet if you don't believe me, we have been snowed in here in Texas ever since!
And by the way, after many phone calls to the Al Gore Camp, I have yet to recieve a return call back!! :laugh: I think that he is trying to reinvent himself. ;)... ... ... "Noth'in New, or Fancy

The good news is that I have signed up with Google Maps, not too sure that that will work for this or next season, but let it be known that I am pull'in for Y'ALL!!
________________________

[callawassiegirl]

I can't believe ice-out is starting already up there. It's colder here in SC than in the Lakes Region neck of the woods. I'm anxious to get back to Sleepers, tho. That is certainly where this heart of mine is.... See all of you soon.

[Janet]

It's way too early for ice out. Us snowmobile rs would like to wring out a few more rides around here!
This winter started off in good shape with the snow and lots of hard work from the Clubs to get the trails ready. Then the cold got the Lake to kick, and we were styl'in.
The winter of 2009-2010 was well on it's way to help put the pain of the economy behind us.
The ice boater's had their best year since years, a new organised tradition of Ice Hockey got under way in Meredith, the Ice Airport was in very good hands with Paul & Crew.
The Alton Bay International Winter Fest got a HUGE BOOST, when the "Forum Flyer" was taken out of mothballs, only to go forward and win the bed race in that event!

Now, I can find my way around the dance floor. I would invite any of you to check me out.

When the Lake kicked, I started my snow dance, only to find that being in Texas, at the time, I forgot all about my being a transplant. I was wanting any of my effort at the time to be forwarded to my beloved Lakes Region.

Well, as it has turned out, and ask Janet if you don't believe me, we have been snowed in here in Texas ever since!
And by the way, after many phone calls to the Al Gore Camp, I have yet to recieve a return call back!! :laugh: I think that he is trying to reinvent himself. ;)... ... ... "Noth'in New, or Fancy

The good news is that I have signed up with Google Maps, not too sure that that will work for this or next season, but let it be known that I am pull'in for Y'ALL!!
________________________

So you're the one who did this to Texas?! Time to stop dancing!

[LakesRegionSpirit]

Lots of water:

[trfour]

Yup!... I guess I'm busted...
My sister and brother in law have lived here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for close to forty years and said that they have never seen a winter like this one while here in Texas. :rolleye1:

Doña is looking out for you're best interests however, as she hid my dancing shoes and replaced them with those spiked ice clip ons, so that kind'a put a hitch in my get'along out there on the dance floor. :(

Now, all this being said I would like to see lots more snowfall ( UP NORTH IN NH GOOGLE ), so as the sled dog races can happen as scheduled in March, and maybe resurrect some snowmobiling for the rest of us. :liplick:

You have to understand, Once a snowmobiler, Always a snowmobiler! :emb:

After all, Spring and summer get here soon enough, and we are seeing the deer on the move here in the back yard.

[Bear Island South]

a sure sign of things to come, there is a stray iceberg floating at the weirs cam:coolsm:

[NHgirl]

I can't wait to starting boating this summer. I'll be living up there starting May. Ice-out next month.......

[robmac]

I am hoping this month

[Island Girl]

Not sure where you are looking but the Snake Eyes Lake Cams pages work, with a couple of seasonal exceptions.. refreshing the page helps if they all do not appear at once.

http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/lakecams.htm
http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm

... and the power is back on Rattlesnake and Snake Eyes is back!!!!

Thanks to NHEC and Russell and his airboat for getting the power guys ouht there!!!!

IG

[Chaos]

I haven't been able to view the ice out page all day.

Even the links above don't work

[Chaos]

Oops, Blackcat works!

[Island Girl]

Most of the images appear to be current on the lakecams page, but some of the links do not work. If you go to the iceout page at www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm (http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/iceout.htm) the images are much larger and you don't need to open the images to see the conditions. I do need to update some of the links.

The lakecams page has other lakes, the iceout page is only Winnipesaukee. I will try to get to it this weekend.

Do refresh your screen often! I find some of the cams do not refresh as quickly as others.
IG

[Merrymeeting]

I also noticed the other day that hovering over some of the images shows one link address, whereas the link below the picture is to a different hyperlink.

This might explain why some don't work sometimes

[Chaos]

Can anyone explain why I can no longer view the Rattlesnakecam.com pages? Everything was fine until last week sometime. I have a Mac which has never had a problem before. I can view the sight on PC's running explorer. I'm stumped and am missing the melting ice on the Iceout page.

Thanks.:confused:

[trfour]

Can anyone explain why I can no longer view the Rattlesnakecam.com pages? Everything was fine until last week sometime. I have a Mac which has never had a problem before. I can view the sight on PC's running explorer. I'm stumped and am missing the melting ice on the Iceout page.

Thanks.:confused:


My hope is that you are keeping you're Mac updated and didn't catch any of these critters; http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=4870&tag=content;col1

Now, just take two aspirin and get on back to us Y'hear!


Terry
_____________________

[Chaos]

Trfour,
I keep it updated, but I will check tonight to make sure. I have no other issues.

Thanks and y'all stay warm down south.

Mike

[livefreeordie]

There is still 14" in alton bay in front of my house..... bob house is still out and still riding the sleds.... I give it two to three weeks before its out...

[Steveo]

One indicator of of when Winni goes Ice-Out is Lilly Pond. Once it goes the main lake follows in about 2 weeks. Any reports on Lilly Pond

[hancoveguy]

Anyone have any thoughts on how and if the upcoming showers and warm temps (50's) will affect ice out? The lake temp has been at 38 degrees for 5 days or so. It didn't hit 38 til the 1st week in April last year.

Anyone else thinking record early ice out?

[Merrymeeting]

Anyone else thinking record early ice out?

I certainly am! What normally slows ice-out is the freezing temps at night. Any gains during the day are lost again at night. But if you look at the extended forecast, most nights for many days will stay above freezing.

If we get a very windy day...

[meredith weekender]

The lake hit 39 degrees today and we still have ice. Boating season has to be right around the corner. I'm actually thinking about putting the kids 14' aluminum boat in the water this weekend just so I can say I went out on the water. :):cool::D

[corollaman]

I saw in the citizen today that Dave Emerson says Ice Out is another month away in spite of the high temps. I don't see how this would be since the water temp is higher than this time last year.

[Slickcraft]

This morning we saw three ice fishermen on the ice off Ellacoya. They had to have stepped across some open water to get out there. Maybe they have been eating the fish. We did see a crazy mink hopping along the ice but we did not see the hatter out there.

[wifi]

....They had to have stepped across some open water to get out there.....

Walking on water? Maybe they were fishing for men? :D

[DBA]

The rain is channeling along the surface, and with this wind is eating away even though temps are cooler. Check it out. Sorry about the quality.

[Lakegeezer]

Most of Moultonboro bay is open water with whitecaps today. There is an ice patch, about 200 yards thick, blocking the exit from the bay to the north (around Elkins point) and then open again till about Ambrose Cove (formerly Aries Marina). All it will take for full ice-out here is a few days of winds from the north.

[Merrymeeting]

I saw in the citizen today that Dave Emerson says Ice Out is another month away in spite of the high temps. I don't see how this would be since the water temp is higher than this time last year.

He would certainly be one of the best ones to make a prediction. But forgive me if I'm skeptical. In the last 24 hours, many areas are showing signs of weakening/opening up, including on the smaller lakes. Open areas showing on Winnisquam, Ossipee, Merrymeeting, and Wentworth that were not there 24 hours ago.

When you factor in the forecast for the next 10 days, I find it hard to believe it will last more than 2 weeks at the most.

[robmac]

I for one agree,looking at all the open water this morning and the upcoming forecast I see it not taking anywhere near a month. But since I'll be in southern CA. for a month starting tomorrow I guess now for me it won't matter but still can't wait.

[Sal]

Our house is near the entrance to Buzzel Cove. The Bay in front of us froze over on December 19th. Yesterday (3/13) the ice was half gone. Today, it's amazingly ALL gone!

[jeffk]

I'm over by Suissevale in Moultonboro and the melting is much further along than average. There is 60+ feet of open water along the shore. Mid March normally is still fairly safe to be out on the ice, wet/slushy but doable. Not this year. Can't even get on the ice unless you want to paddle first. There were a couple bob houses left on Meredith Bay and one fell through the ice this week. We didn't have a very cold winter so the ice isn't particularly thick to begin with. Further the next 10 days are going to be above freezing except for one or two nights. Up to near 60 a couple days. Now we could get a bitter cold snap after that and it would slow things up but I still see an early ice out (Average time is around April 20th?) I would guess around April 10th unless it continues to be abnormally warm.

[Bear Island South]

look at the Bear Cam its start to eat away at the dock

[meredith weekender]

Has anyone seen first hand what the rain is doing to the ice conditions???????

[ishoot308]

It had to do something, as Massebesic lake in Manchester was still completely ice covered on Friday and this morning when I drove by it was wide open water!!

With the temperatures expected to hit well into the 60's by Saturday I can't imagine ice out is more than two weeks away at best...

Dan

[Merrymeeting]

The most notable change over the past few days seems to have been on Lake Wentworth. Three days ago it was still completely ice-covered, with no open water showing on the cam at all. Now it is almost completely open, with the ice barely showing!

FWIW, the small lake near my workplace here in central MA should be out within a few days. It's usually 2 weeks ahead of the big lake. But this year, it froze more solid and had more, longer snow cover than the big lake. It's going to be interesting...

[Lakegeezer]

From as far as I can see into Moultonborough bay and as far north as I can see (up past Arey's/Ambrose cove), there is no ice. A few strands of slush, less than 10 feet wide, are washing up against the shore, but you could easily drive a kayak through them. There may be more ice from Arey's up to Lee's Mills, so my dock won't go in today - but for the moment, we have ice-out!

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Or lack thereof! This is one crazy and hopefully historic year!

[Bear Island South]

starting to see a channel of open water on the North side of Bear Is

[robmac]

BI,starting to see alot of water appearing from ice pulling back. Have to call Sheps and get the boat moved closer to the ramp.

[Lucky1]

How do I vote for the ice out day and time? I have no idea how this works but would like to try it. Thanks for any help with a link or??? Love the WF!!! We need BUMPER STICKERS!!!!

[Resident 2B]

Lucky1,

Sorry, but the contest deadline is Feb 28th. The contest is run each year and is open for guesses during February.

Good luck next year!

R2B

[Merrymeeting]

I think it's going quick. No hint of anything left on Wentworth. Channels opening up in many places, and it's looking very dark this afternoon.

[hazelnut]

That would be great! I'd love a super-early ice-out! I'm worried about debris this year though, more than ever. I am wondering how many people got caught with Bob-Houses still stuck on the ice. Be careful out there with any early boating!

[nightrider]

Looks like an ice-free lake to fish April 1. Riding was horrid this year so hopefully, fishing will be stupendous.

[Merrymeeting]

FWIW, the small lake near my workplace here in central MA should be out within a few days. It's usually 2 weeks ahead of the big lake. But this year, it froze more solid and had more, longer snow cover than the big lake. It's going to be interesting...

This morning on my way to work, the ice on this small lake seemed fairy solid (it's about half the size of Mirror Lake), with only the edges showing.
Tonight on the way home, it was almost fully ice-free, with only a few very small "bergs" that appeared to be sinking and breaking up quickly.

[boat_guy64]

I live on the South side of Meredith Bay. I walked onto the ice on Saturday. The ice was still 10 inches thick. If this ice breaks up too fast we're going to have some large chunks doing a lot of damage to docks. Hopefully, the rain ate it up the past few days and made it a lot thinner and lighter.

[Bizer]

The high temperature is expected to be in the mid 50's for the next five days. Could this be the beginning of the end of ice for the winter?

[nj2nh]

I am still pushing for April 5th. Won with that one a few years back for the old Main Street in Alton. My son's birthday so it has to be a winner!

nj2nh

[JB Long Island]

If anyone is passing by Moultonboro or Long Island area in the next few days would love a report on the ice (or hopefully open water) from Harilla's !

[Green's Basin Girl]

If anyone is passing by Moultonboro or Long Island area in the next few days would love a report on the ice (or hopefully open water) from Harilla's ! Inner Green's Basin is almost all open water.

[lawn psycho]

On my commericial flight last week we flew right over Winni. It seemed like there was an area opening up between Rattlesnake and the mouth of Alton Bay. I couldn't get my camera out of my bag fast enought to snap a photo.

[Lucky1]

Well next year I hope to enter!!

[Slickcraft]

Off of Belknap Point there is a strip of open water (50 to 100' wide) running from Rock Island southeast past the point and then a very narrow strip running NW out toward Welch. The strip follows the path of this winter's ice ridge. I suspect the narrow strip will widen quite a bit this week subject to wind blown movement of the ice.

The ice is looking black, probable stage 4 below.

Following from http://climate.umn.edu/doc/ice_out/ice_out_description.htm
Quote
"How Lake Ice Melts

A wonderful description of how lake ice melts away appeared on the web blog "Air Mass", hosted by the Star Tribune's Bill McAuliffe. Ed Swain, of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency describes the process of freezing and thawing lakes.

1. In the late fall, the lake loses heat to the atmosphere, and then on a day or night when the wind is not blowing, ice forms. The ice gets thicker as long as the lake can continue to lose heat.
2. In most Januaries and Februaries, snow both reflects sunlight and insulates the lake. With a thick snow layer, the lake neither gains nor loses heat. The bottom sediment is actually heating the lake water slightly over the winter, from stored summer heat.
3. Around March, as the air warms and the sun gets more intense, the snow melts, allowing light to penetrate the ice. Because the ice acts like the glass in a greenhouse, the water beneath it begins to warm, and the ice begins to melt FROM THE BOTTOM.
4. When the ice thickness erodes to between 4 and 12 inches, it transforms into long vertical crystals called "candles." These conduct light even better, so the ice starts to look black, because it is not reflecting much sunlight.
5. Warming continues because the light energy is being transferred to the water below the ice. Meltwater fills in between the crystals, which begin breaking apart. The surface appears grayish as the ice reflects a bit more light than before.
6. The wind comes up, and breaks the surface apart. The candles will often be blown to one side of the lake, making a tinkling sound as they knock against one another, and piling up on the shore. In hours, a sparkling blue lake, once again!"

[JonLevis]

Manitou is sitting in the water ready to go...new cushions on the sun deck this year...she looks like a new boat! I was up last week and couldn't believe how little ice was left...even saw some shacks getting ready to fall through. See you all soon!

[Chaos]

The Blackcat webcam loop shows large moving sheets of ice that are seperating. :liplick:

[meredith weekender]

With a temp of 59 degrees at 2:00 p.m. and warmer weather forecasted for the rest of the week it certainly won't be to much longer.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Silver Lake here in Hollis is completely open. It must have happened either yesterday or today. Maybe JRC knows for sure. Since I've been paying attention, Lake Winnipesaukee is a week behind. Hopefully it will be sooner than a week. It would be great to open up camp while both boys are home for spring break.

How is the Lily Pond looking? Not much longer now!:D

BearCam looks much different than yesterday's picture that Bear Island South's posted. (#43)
The BearCam time stamp seems to be a day off and an hour off.

[SteveA]

I am still pushing for April 5th. Won with that one a few years back for the old Main Street in Alton. My son's birthday so it has to be a winner!nj2nh

I figured all the tears from all the wealthy folks here on Winni.com on "Tax Day" would add enough weight to the lake to sink the remaining ice. :rolleye1:

[flyguy]

In this image from 3/16, the ice is looking mighty thin! All of Moultonboro bay (top right) is clear of ice, and the rest of the lake is quickly following. Stonedam Island is at lower left, Mount Washington is at top center, and the tip of Mark Island can be seen at far right.
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/523/thumbs/IceOut-Pano-1AsW.jpg ('http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/523/IceOut-Pano-1AsW.jpg')

[Island Girl]

My new unofficial guess is next Tuesday...

Thanks Bill, for the picture!!

IG

[tricia1218]

Any word on Lilly pond? Thanks

[Chillin & Grillin]

Looks like i'm getting the boat ready this weekend, for a splash next weekend! Yeah!:)

[LadyJane]

It's interesting to watch the changes in the web cam images over the past several days. The change in the Ossippee Lake image from just this morning to this afternoon is astounding !!!

[DRH]

As of 2:30 PM this afternoon, Lily Pond appears to be about 1/3 open water. All the open water doesn't show in the following photo, but you can get an idea of what's happening to the ice there.

http://echoshores.com/ice-out/2010/LilyPond800_031710.jpg

[Shedwannabe]

Pickerel Pond is still COMPLETELY ice-over (well, holes at edges where streams run in...). We haven't even had the puddles that the snowmobilers like riding through, making a big splash and hoping they won't sink.

Still a month away to ice-out here....

[Grant]

In this image from 3/16, the ice is looking mighty thin! All of Moultonboro bay (top right) is clear of ice, and the rest of the lake is quickly following. Stonedam Island is at lower left, Mount Washington is at top center, and the tip of Mark Island can be seen at far right.
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/523/thumbs/IceOut-Pano-1AsW.jpg ('http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/523/IceOut-Pano-1AsW.jpg')

I live for these photos -- especially when they include Tuftonboro (hint-hint). :D

[itchin for fishin]

My pool without exception has "iced out" two weeks before Winni for the past 15 years. Bad news is, it still has a lot of ice, good news is I bet big bucks that it goes ice free this weekend.

[Island Girl]

I took this picture three days before ice out in 2008... Compare it with Fly Guy's pic above. He shows more ice, but not much more.

Click on the image for a larger picture.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/506/medium/DSC02570-1024w.jpg (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/506/DSC02570-1024w.jpg)

[Dhuberty24]

here is harillas

[Dhuberty24]

Here are some pics of the broads taken from Jonathans landing

[Dhuberty24]

The first one is the dog at harillas and the second one is the start of the grave yard heading to cow island

[Merrymeeting]

Ice (and runway) now gone from Alton Bay out to the bandstand. Looking very fragile everywhere else.

With temps not going much below 40 at night, and well into the 60's during the day, it won't be long.

Much as I would have liked more snow this year, I'm ready to switch. I just hope we don't have our fun dashed with a cold April! :eek:

[wifi]

Long range forecast (for what its worth), is showing rain on Monday during the day and in the 40's, then snow Monday night in the 20's.

[flyguy]

Any word on Lilly pond? Thanks

SURE!
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/515/thumbs/LILY-Pond_3943.jpg ('http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/515/LILY-Pond_3943.jpg')

[Steveo]

Not sure where you get your forecast but - yes, rain on Monday but temps in the mid to upper 40's all next week. Of course it doesn't matter since there will be no ice by next Monday anyway.

[Islander2]

Anyone have any info or pictures on how much ice is left in 19 Mile Bay?

Thanks in advance.

[Lakegeezer]

A new record for dock-in day. Previous was April 1 - so have beat the record by two weeks. One small ice flow exited a small nearby bay, but by the time it had floated by, it was all but dissolved.

[Dhuberty24]

I do not think there is any ice in 19 mile bay. I am not positive but there is no ice in 20 mile bay or anywhere arounf there. It is open to cow island.

[Merrymeeting]

Why is there an area of Lilly Pond that was plowed? A bit off thread, but just curious.

I know they race model boats there in the summer. Do they have a model airplane runway to mirror Alton Bay in the winter? ;)

[Ryan]

Why is there an area of Lilly Pond that was plowed? A bit off thread, but just curious.


They actually run sleds there, like a 1/4 mile track.

[JB Long Island]

Thanks Dhuberty24 for the pictfrom Harilla's - thats a beautiful sight !
Might just change my weekend plans... !

[Islander2]

Thanks for the update, Dhuberty24. Looks like we will head out to Cow on Saturday. It will be good to get back on the water.

[Bear Island South]

this may be directed for FLL, I believe he lives on Meredith Neck
what does the ice look like from Cattle Landing toward Bear and Mark Islands, is the Jon/Air Boat still in at Cattle, is it chewing up the ice?
Thanks for any info

[nj2nh]

I see water in Alton Bay. It's out all the way to that pavilion thing in the water. I never know what to call it.

Guess my guess (April 5) is a wee tiny bit off. But I am glad it is!

nj2nh

[Slickcraft]

I see water in Alton Bay. It's out all the way to that pavilion thing in the water. I never know what to call it.

Guess my guess (April 5) is a wee tiny bit off. But I am glad it is!

nj2nh

The thing in the water is a bandstand. There are two bandstands at Alton Bay, one on shore and one actually in the bay. It is called the "floating bandstand" to distinguish it from the other. It is not really floating as it is secured to a pile of rocks but it appears to float.

Yes this morning there was open water out to the bandstand.

[Janet]

Weather forecast for Dallas/Ft Worth tomorrow is 1-2" of snow. Tomorrow's the first day of Spring, the daffodils are in bloom, tulips have buds and the pear trees have flowers...snow?!

[Green's Basin Girl]

Weather forecast for Dallas/Ft Worth tomorrow is 1-2" of snow. Tomorrow's the first day of Spring, the daffodils are in bloom, tulips have buds and the pear trees have flowers...snow?!I am in Florida and this past week it was only about 10 degree's warmer than the Lakes Region. Tomorrow it's suppose to be 80 degrees in Florida, but I heard it will be 70 degrees in NH It has been the coldest winter on record here in Florida.

[DBA]

There are a couple more views posted in the gallery. With the winds picking up this afternoon and the ice finally softening a bit, we have movement!

[Slickcraft]

The view today from Belknap Point. A good stiff wind would break this up. There is still ice by light 26 in toward Glendale.

[riverat]

Looks like Ice Out at Lily Pond

[meredith weekender]

Meredith bay is really breaking up. We put the kids aluminum boat in today ad notices that the ice is rolling as the wake waves hit the ice. Should be no more than two days before the bay is free and clear. :):D:coolsm::cool:

[Pine Island Guy]

a beautiful day out on the island. when we got here this morning, the ice was still closer to shore than bouy #4. now it has blown down lake, past 5 Mile...

over and ice-out -PIG

[Gatto Nero]

I saw a small power boat tooling around 3 Mile Island today, was that you PIG?

[meredith weekender]

The ice in Meredith Bay is moving quicker than previously thought. The NO WAKE buoys just before Meredith Marina keep disappearing and then within a minute or two are popping back up thru the slushy, broken up ice. Let's hope for light wind all night. :)

[idigtractors]

I saw a boat going at more than headway speed going along the ice edge by the Wolfeboro public dock (a good 300 yards) and as far as the eye could see. There was also a kayak out there enjoying the sun and slight breeze.:)

[JMR]

I went from Alton to Meredith today. At noon there was open water between the Rattlesnake Landing and Sleeper Island with lots of cracks in the remaining ice.

No ice in Smith Cove.

Ice cracking up and moving away from shore at Ames Farm.


Ice moviing away from shore at the Weirs.

Meredith Bay was about 1/4th open when I got there at 130pm. By the time I left at 3-4 PM it was at least 1/2 open with a soft breeze blowing out.

With some wind the lake will be open for business soon. Easter seems likely.

Like the rest of you I can't wait

[Just Sold]

JMR - we were both in Medredith at the same tiime today. I got there around 2 at the docks. There were a lot of people enjoying the day there.

I went on to Center Harbor and Lee's Mill. Center Harbor was open a good ways out and Lee's Mill was very open as far as I could see. I will post some photos later.

BTW the new launch ramp at Lee's is looking great with the cement all in place. It is still behind the coffer dam but maybe they wil finish the work soon for use.

[sum-r breeze]

Has Fly Guy been up and snapping any pictures of the lake today with the 70 degree temps? I saw my first boat ride by on a trailer today! You could just see the the giddy look on that guy's face. What a fantastic day, can't wait to unwrap The Breeze break out the buffer.

Wave 'cuz I'll be wavin' back
The Breeze:D:D:D:D:D

[Gatto Nero]

There are no signs of ice anywhere from my vantage point on Black Cat Island, either towards Center Harbor, the Beaver Islands, 3 Mile, or as far down the Broads as I can see.

[BroadHopper]

is free of ice.

[Slickcraft]

While there is open water a ways north of the bandstand in Alton Bay, there is ice after that around Sandy Point and up the bay. The view from the scenic overlook was mostly contiguous ice and the view from Ames Farm shows mostly pack ice toward Rattlesnake and south.

There is still ice between Belknap Point and Locke’s.

I would say that someone like 308 who has picked the 28th is still in the running.

[BlackCatIslander]

I have been checking the various live cams over the last week to watch the ice disappear. It is surprising to watch the action today on Snake Eyes as the ice has moved away from the shore and is starting to break up. It looks as though two or three days should do it.

[CanisLupusArctos]

There are no signs of ice anywhere from my vantage point on Black Cat Island, either towards Center Harbor, the Beaver Islands, 3 Mile, or as far down the Broads as I can see.

I second that. No ice is visible from the weather station. Winds have increased since 2 pm and are now averaging 23 mph from the southeast, along the length of the lake. If there were any major ice down-lake, it would have drifted much closer by now. But there has been none in the waves -- not even a scrap of ice.

Anything that does exist between here and there will get tossed about in the waves, which are approaching 12-18 inches high at this location. This also tells me they've had a decent stretch of open lake on which to build. Waves don't build as easily in ice-laden water.

The water temperature at this station has now reached 40 at a depth of 10 feet, and 48 at a depth of 2 feet.

The water level is an inch below full.

A boat went by this morning, on a slow southeast course.

[Winni-Retired]

I am getting excited reading the ice - out information.

I have, Thursday 25-March at 11.31 AM, the date and time of my oldest childs birth.

Would it not be great to have ice-out on her birthday ?

[Sully]

I'm liking your chances, Winni - Retired. History will be made this week!

[Pepper]

Been sitting here watching the various cams, and DRH's updates over the past few hours, and cannot believe the rapid changes! The ice is moving FAST all over the lake, and the condition of the remaining ice is seriously fragile. What's left cannot possibly survive much longer, between the temps and the wind. Won't be long at all! :D

[bab1234]

Still large chucks of ice, BUT the broads are mostly open. This area at 7:00 am was mostly covered GOING FAST, few more days it should all be gone. Let the summer games begin.

[Merrymeeting]

The water temp will moderate things, but if it doesn't go in the next few days, things will slow down by Tuesday. Forecast shows very cold nights this week.

[corollaman]

Paugus Bay is starting to open up.

[JMR]

here is a picture from the Rattlesnake landing looking towards Sleeper Island. a little hard to see the open water away from the dock.

3578

[Island Girl]

We traveled north on RT 11 from Alton Bay to the Laconia By-pass between 11:30 and 1:00 PM. Basically everything was iced in, with some little breaks and rivers. By the time we got back to MA just after 4:30, the world had changed. DRH posted a few pictures showing that the lake was on the move and the ice bergs were flowing and breaking up. The broads, as reported by DBA on Rattlesnake, was 70% free. Snake Eyes showed a tiny iceberg, but mostly open water where it was all ice this morning. Any rain and wind ought to finish the job!

I was going to post a pic or two, but it is irrelevant now... the world changed from the time I took them until the time I got back to a computer!! I love mother nature.

IG
:coolsm:

[Dock Mooch]

Hi folks,

I am on Rattlesnake and check this thread and rattlesnakcam daily.

My wife and I drove past Ames Farm this morning on our way to the Maine Boatbuilder Show in Portland and the ice was still in out to Rattlesnake, though it was looking very punky.

Happy to say that on the way back, around 5 PM.....it was open water between Ames Farm and Rattlesnake.

We'll be launching one of our boats next Monday most likely.

Cheers
Jeff

[Blue Thunder]

Welcome to the Forum DM. Over five years of lurking and you finally made your first post. Nice to have you with us.

BT

[BlackCatIslander]

From a quick look at the various cams, I wonder if we already have ice out. Can anyone find some ice?

[Merrymeeting]

The main Winnipesaukee cam shows there are still many large bergs. Similar on Wolfeboro cams, Broadview, Alton (WinnipesaukeeCams), etc.

But, they are all isolated and moving so they will break up and melt soon. It won't be long now...

[Islander2]

This was the entrance to Hole in the Wall on Saturday... http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/506/thumbs/PICT3709a.JPG ('http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/506/PICT3709a.JPG')

[Islander2]

Also Saturday, Melvin Village was wide open... but still snow on the mountains.http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/506/thumbs/PICT3713a1.JPG ('http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/506/PICT3713a1.JPG')

[Squam Friend]

Big Squam is open all the way to Sandwich Bay, which is still iced in, and Little Squam has big sheets and chunks floating around... one more big windy day and it could be all gone!

[Slickcraft]

From a quick look at the various cams, I wonder if we already have ice out. Can anyone find some ice?

I found a little bit about an hour ago. The 1st photo is looking north up Alton Bay from Sandy Point. The 2nd is looking out from the scenic overlook near MT Major parking lot. While I am no expert, it sort of looks like real ice to me. I would assume the same holds true for the 2+ miles of upper bay between where the two photos were taken.

[LIforrelaxin]

It is getting there.... still on course to be one of the earliest Ice Outs ever.... we just need to give mother nature some more time, and hope for some wind to speed things up just a pinch....

[StephenB]

I find this early ice out downright scary.

[Long Pine]

Still some ice in the Varney Islands/ Barndoor area but it is getting dark. Attached pic was taken 3/22 at 11:45am. Looking west toward Barndoor, Clay Point, and Gunstock.

[Grant]

Also Saturday, Melvin Village was wide open... but still snow on the mountains.http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/506/thumbs/PICT3713a1.JPG ('http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/506/PICT3713a1.JPG')

Wow -- I was walking there on Feb 21...

[robmac]

Boats already floating in the lake,now hope to be able to take a nice easy cruise next week.

[Dock Mooch]

Welcome to the Forum DM. Over five years of lurking and you finally made your first post. Nice to have you with us.

BT

I guess it took a March ice-out to open me up ;-)

Cheers
Jeff

[meredith weekender]

Any word on Meredith Bay???????

[jeffk]

Ice went out in front of Suissevale on Saturday (20th). I drove around and found Moultonborough Bay by Melvin Village wide open, 20 Mile bay was open except for a thin sheet by the shore (I'm sure gone by now). Center Harbor is open. The only ice I found was off States Landing Road by Balmoral which was still pretty socked in. I went back today (Mon) and it was almost clear.

[BobbyA]

Don`t tell Al Gore!!!!

[StephenB]

Don`t tell Al Gore!!!!
I looked at the list of historical ice out dates, http://www.winnipesaukee.com/index.php?pageid=iceout but I can't really see a strong trend towards earlier ice outs in the recent past.

I think one of the main reasons this ice out is coming along so fast is that the lake ice was fairly clear and black most of the winter. While "white" means snow and that holds in heat, white ice also reflects more sun as the latter gets stronger and higher in February. This year, there was an awful lot of bare, dark ice exposed to the sun.

Thoughts?

[Lakegeezer]

This record year will be just another data point in the history books. Next year could be very different. The 10 year trends are more interesting from a Gore perspective. Our fair cold weather this winter pushed the nasty storms south. Indeed, the combo of fast freezing in December which caused black/clear ice and no snow meant a fast thaw. If the ice had frozen white, it could have been a very different story.

How will ice-out be declared if the weather is too bad to fly when the event occurs? The ice is moving around a lot now and much that was on the camera yesterday is gone. If we're going to set a record, it should be an accurate one.

[secondcurve]

This record year will be just another data point in the history books. Next year could be very different. The 10 year trends are more interesting from a Gore perspective. Our fair cold weather this winter pushed the nasty storms south. Indeed, the combo of fast freezing in December which caused black/clear ice and no snow meant a fast thaw. If the ice had frozen white, it could have been a very different story.

How will ice-out be declared if the weather is too bad to fly when the event occurs? The ice is moving around a lot now and much that was on the camera yesterday is gone. If we're going to set a record, it should be an accurate one.

I think our ability to get an accurate ice out date in this day and age is a lot better than it was say a 100-years ago, so I wouldn't worry about nasty weather impeding the process!

[Steveo]

The ice out has to be declared before Sunday to be a new record. With the winds coming in tomorrow I don't think it will be a problem. From the looks of it Alton Bay is the only holdout.

[JB Long Island]

With all this wind and rain gotta be close !

[ishoot308]

None of the web cams show any ice left. Just yesterday the Broadview and Varney Point cam still showed some ice, today it is completely gone. The only place I can think of where there still may be a little if any ice left would be in Alton Bay... I'll be curious to see what the "ice out" Silver Sands camera shows when today's pic is put up.

Dan

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Looks like everything is floating down to Alton Bay.

DRH has been pretty wonderful taking so many pictures for us and posting them on EchoCam (http://echoshores.com/ice-out/2010/echoshores.htm). It is amazing how much it changes in just hours! Thanks DRH.

[DRH]

Looks like everything is floating down to Alton Bay.

DRH has been pretty wonderful taking so many pictures for us and posting them on EchoCam (http://echoshores.com/ice-out/2010/echoshores.htm). It is amazing how much it changes in just hours! Thanks DRH.Thanks for the nice words, RG.

As you can see in the photo below, taken about 1/2 hour ago, quite a bit of ice blew across the lake from the Wolfeboro direction overnight and it's locked in against our shoreline this morning. This ice is only about one inch thick and the floating sections crumble and pile up on each other when they collide. All the white you see in the picture below represents chipped ice resulting from these collisions. This ice "soup" stretches from a bit to the southeast of Rum Point all the way up to Smith's Point.

It's 38 degrees here this morning with rain, and this remaining ice is melting. The wind is forecast to shift from the NE over to the NW and W tomorrow, so any remaining ice here at that time will probably be blown down toward Alton Bay.

http://www.echoshores.com/ice-out/2010/current.jpg

[robmac]

Thanks DRH for the pics and updates,shouldn't be long now.

[Kings Bluff]

The mouth of Alton Bay still has some ice but it is going quick. See www.winnipesaukeecam.com.

[Squam Friend]

The ice is all piled up at one end of Little Squam and is almost completely gone from the other end of Big Squam down in Sandwich... check out the ice by the covered bridge on the little squam webcam (http://riveredgemarina.com/squam-river-landing-marina/photo-gallery.php)

it's a little wet from the rain pummeling the window in front of the camera...

[HUH]

And its all water..:D

[corollaman]

Got up this morning. looked out the window at Paugus Bay, and it was all open. Just ice piled along the shoreline. I think ice-out on the big lake will be this weekend. Lily Pond was out when I went by yesterday, and winnisquam was all open when I went by there on Sunday. Opechee was all opened up last week except for over by the prison.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Winnisquam has been open since Sunday.

Thanks for the web cam link Squam Friend.

[Island Girl]

I thought it would be ice-out today... however there are still some bergs in Alton Bay. I could be right, though. The Mount is a big heavy boat. I bet she could just push those ice crystals aside and get to her port with nary a scratch!

:D

It is time to jetski!!!

[Merrymeeting]

Better be before Friday! 14 degrees overnight!!!

Should we be talking about ice-in again? :eek:

[Dock Mooch]

Our 17' bowrider is going in this week! Last year I was in before official ice-out and even got a chance to cruise the ice flow in front of Rattlesnake.

Looks like I missed the ice this year but very excited to be floating in March!

Cheers
Jeff

[CanisLupusArctos]

I find this early ice out downright scary.

An asteroid coming right at the earth is scary. Given the statistics, driving should be the scariest thing we all do, but somehow we're not scared when we drive.

As for early iceout, it's actually fascinating when you study the science behind it all. Then you see that the ice froze right on average, got thick enough for human activity earlier than average, got thick enough to support widespread truck usage for a time, and yet still melted extremely early.

The science behind it all will tell you there is a lot more to ice-in and ice-out than temperatures. There are many factors. Their timing and order plays a huge role. That's what makes the iceout guessing contest such a huge attraction.

[CanisLupusArctos]

Better be before Friday! 14 degrees overnight!!!

Should we be talking about ice-in again? :eek:

More than likely not. One of the greatest factors in getting the lake to freeze is the longest nights of the year. Also, sun angle in December and early January is as low as it gets. This time of year, the days are longer than the nights, and the sun angle is now the same as it is in late summer/early fall. The water temp has started to warm up, also. That will prevent ice formation unless we get a stretch of cold weather long enough to chill it back to freezing in a large enough area.

If there is still a lot of ice in any given area when the cold weather hits later this week, those areas may defy spring for a bit longer. But any new skims of ice that form this time of year will have a hard time surviving when the sun comes up early, rises high, and sets late.

[Merrymeeting]

As always Canis, I appreciate and enjoy very much your weather analysis.

But in this case I was kidding... :rolleye2:

[WIS]

A picture from the Rattlesnake boat launch today showing the ice all the way out to Sleepers:

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs436.snc3/25077_393024851712_75623911712_4249366_1229040_n.j pg

Dock damage at Minge Cove:

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs416.snc3/25077_393024866712_75623911712_4249369_4347658_n.j pg

It won't be long now!

[StephenB]

The science behind it all will tell you there is a lot more to ice-in and ice-out than temperatures. There are many factors. Their timing and order plays a huge role. That's what makes the iceout guessing contest such a huge attraction.

What I realized this year is snow cover or lack thereof as well as ice color, especially in the months of Feb and March, have a lot more to do with ice out than overall winter temperatures, though warm March temps helped.

[Bear Island South]

Our 17' bowrider is going in this week! Last year I was in before official ice-out and even got a chance to cruise the ice flow in front of Rattlesnake.

Looks like I missed the ice this year but very excited to be floating in March!

Cheers
Jeff

us too
we are heading up on Thursday to put the dock in, last year the dock went in on April 8, the next day we got iced in when a huge ice flow drifted in

[Merrymeeting]

Paugus Bay and Alton were the last hold-outs. Looks like they are clear now. Should be today...

If anyone is interested in some videos of the ice-out progress on Merrymeeting, here you go www.mmlake.org (http://www.mmlake.org)

[Steveo]

Now that Alton Bay finally succumbed to the winds, it looks like if Dave can get the plane up in these strong winds then we will have a record ice-out today, beating the 1921 record by 4 days...unbelievable!!!!

Worse case he gets it up tomorrow :emb:

[Sman]

Alton may be clear, but we need DRH to finish his pancakes and coffee and take the much appreciated daily Echo Shores photo, that area needs some clearing too

Thanks DRH for those pictures, it looked clear sat/sun only to blow back in at the beginning of the week - great link

[Kings Bluff]

The ice is heading out (into) Alton Bay. Given how high the water is, it's time to pray for the docks. See www.winnipesaukeecam.com

[DRH]

Alton may be clear, but we need DRH to finish his pancakes and coffee and take the much appreciated daily Echo Shores photo, that area needs some clearing too

Thanks DRH for those pictures, it looked clear sat/sun only to blow back in at the beginning of the week - great linkNo pancakes - just dry cereal! :laugh:

All the ice is gone this morning at Echo Shores.

http://www.echoshores.com/ice-out/2010/032410.jpg

[Sman]

Wow DRH you are on it, thanks again!

For all those pictures someone needs to cook you a stack of pancakes! Looks like Echo Shores is done with ice for the year

Now if we can get rid of the rain/wind/cold temps, one thing at a time I guess

[MAXUM]

Hard to believe that we'll see ice out in March. May have to splash the boat this weekend, just not sure what to do since I can't fish yet. Oh well maybe I'll just have to hit the usual hot spots and do some pre season surveying with the fish finder.

Don't see how ice out isn't called today!

[Pricestavern]

Looking at the webcams this morning, I can only see some ice slush in Alton Bay - every other cam is ice free. Who actually calls "Ice Out"? Some one should give him a nudge...

[Slickcraft]

There is still some ice in the north end of Alton Bay as viewed this morning from the scenic overlook looking south, 1st photo. Hopefully it is not "ice nine". :rolleye2:

Driving north from the overlook, no ice in view at: Ames Farm, Ellacoya, Belknap point and Glendale.

The Slickcraft has been lowered into the water in the covered slip at Fay's but not started yet. Will wait for less wind and a warmer day to make the trip out to Welch.

Watch out for floating debris on the lake. Several docks got damaged on Welch as in the 2nd photo taken on 22 Feb 2010. There will be a lot of junk floating around.

[Kings Bluff]

If you want to have some fun click on "Dynamic Video (Beta) under the webcam pictures at www.winnipesaukeecam.com for an short (10 frame) movie of the ice moving.

[webmaster]

Who actually calls "Ice Out"? Some one should give him a nudge...I just spoke to Emerson Aviation. Dave Emerson is the pilot who makes the Ice-Out call. They said that Ice-Out has not been called yet but Dave will be going up this afternoon for another look.

I'll post an announcement here as soon as I get the word.

[Steveo]

Dave Emerson is the pilot who makes the Ice-Out call. They said that Ice-Out has not been called yet but Dave will be going up this afternoon for another look.

I only saw one guess for today, March 24th on the ice-out guesses:


March 24, 2010 2:12 pm
THE WITCH -- Monday, 22 February 2010, at 3:31 p.m

[Slickcraft]

There is still some ice in the north end of Alton Bay as viewed this morning from the scenic overlook looking south, 1st photo. Hopefully it is not "ice nine". :rolleye2:


The ice in upper Alton Bay as reported this morning is now gone; a victim of this west north west wind.

At this point in past years the NW wind has pushed ice over to the entrance of Wolfeboro bay delaying official ice out a day or two. We will have to see what Dave Emerson has to report.

[Winni-Retired]

I am getting excited reading the ice - out information.

I have, Thursday 25-March at 11.31 AM, the date and time of my oldest childs birth.

Would it not be great to have ice-out on her birthday ?

All I need is another 19 plus hours before ICE-OUT....

[NHBoat70]

It's official as of 2pm today.

[Island Girl]

I am not seeing any announcement on any of the news media. Where did you get that information about ice out?

[mcdude]

Joe Joyce, meteorolgist on New England Cable News, was just talking about the early ice-out and showed a nice pic from the rattlesnake cam.

[RLW]

I am not seeing any announcement on any of the news media. Where did you get that information about ice out?

http://i43.tinypic.com/b4vwqe.gifI can't find it either.:)

[NHBoat70]

Let's just say you got the information from someone with really good sources...;)

[Pineedles]

darn it, missed it again. :laugh:

[CanisLupusArctos]

As always Canis, I appreciate and enjoy very much your weather analysis.

But in this case I was kidding... :rolleye2:

I had a feeling you were, but others who have approached me with the same comment in the past few days were actually serious! Your comment reminded me to post about it.

[trfour]

Are getting ready to unwrap their sails and hang 'em out on the warm waters of Lake Winni again!
Very Happy And Safe boating Everyone!