Ice-in Watch 2006

[Island Girl]

It is time to begin the Ice-in watch. Unlike ice-out there is no set date that ice-in occurs or that the ice is safe. It will be fun to watch as the ice forms in the bays and out in the broads. There are lots of webcams in the area from which to view the changing conditions. I have created an Ice-in page on which there are several of these cams.

If you would like me to put other webcams on this page, just post the request in this thread.

You can also post your observations and comments in this thread.

DRH and upthesaukee will be taking still shots of the lake periodically and posting them as well. You can find then on the Ice-in page. These pictures will begin after the ice starts forming.

If you would like to take periodic or daily pictures from a part of the lake not covered we will give you a place to post them. If you take an occassional picture put it on photopost and let me know it is there and I will link to it from the Ice-in page.

As always, thanks to Don Z. for giving the space to do all this. Make sure you visit the sponsors on all of our pages... they help support these free sites.

Enjoy!

http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/icein.htm

[Orion]

Thank You IG!

Makes it easy to get all the info in one place. Good for quick checks from WORK (spoken like Maynard G. Krebs ....if anyone remembers)

[Pepper]

Terrific! I was hoping you would do this!

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gtxrider]

Cool , no pun intended.

Yes I remember Maynard G. Krebs. I think he was later lost on an island during a three hour cruise, a three hour cruise.

[trfour]

After ice in,
I think that ice safety for winter sports here on the Lake could be Incorporated into this as well.
Kind of a, one stop shopping, if you will.

Links, or other ice safety reporting for the Lake.

Just an idea

T.

[19MileBaylover]

Hey Island Girl,
Nice touch
I'm always curious about ice out, so this is a great site.
p.s., is it really Central MA or western MA? Western MA starts west of Worcester.

[xstrapolator]

on the ice in page apparently is case sensitive.

It should be this for the Smith Cove Cam, the other one returns an error page:

http://www.bearisland.org/smithcovecam.htm

Great idea on the page by the way.

[KBoater]

I'm a little late on this but if you look at the Lake Wentworth web cam for Dec. 9 and 10 you will notice the overnight difference of the ice-in on the "Wentworth Boards". Try the slide show.

Winnie can not be far behind. I imagine most of the small lakes are frozen.

[Pepper]

Originally Posted by FLboater

{snip} ... Winnie can not be far behind. I imagine most of the small lakes are frozen.

We drove past Opeechee Park today and were surprised to see mostly open water. There is ice at the beachline and for a few yards into the water, but it was extremely thin in appearance.

Tonights temperatures might make a huge difference in the ice conditions everywhere, though. WOW is it gonna be COLD .

[gtxrider]

Pepper, when you feel a chill just think back on the summer and working behind the counter at Waldo Peppers.

It is cold down here in Central New Jersey. We may even have a white Christmas.

[Pepper]

Great idea, GTXRider! It certainly is hot there!

[trfour]

We all need some more Hot Pepper out here, Pepper!

From a very old fan, Happy Holidays Sweetheart!!

This website Warms us, year round, Yes... Very Cool!!

Year Round Winni is all that we need!

Love you all,
trfour.

[mcdude]

FLboater: Look what some little elf added to the Wentworth cam!! IG: Can we get one for Snake Eyes too? (when the BIG lake freezes?)

[Island Girl]

Sure.. we can do that. It might not be until January sometime. Perhaps you would like to come and decorate it!

[Islander2]

Wonder is anyone has been to the Barbers Pole area, and if that section of the lake is frozen, or if there is open water still between it and Cow Is. Also, has anyone driven by Nineteen Mile Bay area that could give me an ice report?

Thanks...

[Zee]

As of last weekend, both 19 Mile and 20 Mile Bays were completely socked in. Looking out beyond, there is solid ice (unsafe) all the way to the graveyard and around Chases Island. I am unsure as to the status beyond that. Moultonborough Bay in Melvin Village was open with ice forming in the bays. If Moultonborough Bay is open then I would guess that the area beyond Chases to Cow Island may be open as well.

[Islander2]

Thanks ZEE. I appreciate the info, and the quick response.

Have a good one.

[JTA]

Sounds like it's almost time to start looking for the couple of ice fishing holes I left last February. They were in the Barber's Pole area ... round, about 12" diameter. if you see them, let me know ... thanks.

[Resident 2B]

I think I might of hit one of them passing through the area at dusk in late July.

I hit a hole and it looked about that size. I did not report it to the MP. No damage seen.

[Pepper]

Originally Posted by JTA

Sounds like it's almost time to start looking for the couple of ice fishing holes I left last February. They were in the Barber's Pole area ... round, about 12" diameter. if you see them, let me know ... thanks.

and ...

Originally Posted by RESIDENT2B

I think I might of hit one of them passing through the area at dusk in late July.

I hit a hole and it looked about that size. I did not report it to the MP. No damage seen.

... caused me to nearly spray my keyboard with coffee!

[SAMIAM]

I.G....what a great idea......not only for winter sports,but for safety.
In Moultonborough,they are already snowmobiling on Lee's Pond.They have 6" of ice.

[Misty Blue]

Hi all!

As the ice starts to form our aquatherms will be challanged for the first time this year.

I found a bargan on the Lake Winnipesaukee Home Page Classifieds on a 3/4 HP ice eater. So now I have a spare. If you get in a jam and need one in a hurry 'til you can make repairs give me a call 455-7178. If you are on an island I can haul it by sled once the ice is in.

Misty Blue

[mcdude]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

Sure.. we can do that. It might not be until January sometime. Perhaps you would like to come and decorate it!

IG: Apparently there will be no need for us to decorate it ourselves. I've just recently learned of the Tree Gnome whose responsibility it is to decorate web cam Christmas trees!!! (See link below)

http://www.lwa.org/index.php?option=...&Itemid=30#363

It's kind of too bad because I was thinking I'd have to hitch a ride with one of the "Babes on Sleds" to get out there!!!

[Lakegeezer]

The Castle Springs Cam http://soot.sr.unh.edu/airmap/CSprings.jpg shows lots of ice on the lake. I had a conversation today with someone up north of Moultonboro bay, who said the ice has been there for over a week, and it is now solid the whole way across. That area always ices up early, but this is very early! Last two years, it did not ice-in there till after Jan 1. We're looking at a cold week leading up to Christmas, so is looking good for a good ice year.

[Mink Islander]

Yeah, those sub zeros last week were big help. Be nice to have safe ice early for a change.

[Merrymeeting]

Large sheet showing on the Wolfecam for the first time. Barring a warm stretch, should be solid by New Years....

[gtxrider]

Originally Posted by JTA

Sounds like it's almost time to start looking for the couple of ice fishing holes I left last February. They were in the Barber's Pole area ... round, about 12" diameter. if you see them, let me know ... thanks.

This time of year the ice holes will float to the surface so just keep looking. I wish you ice fishermen would fill in the holes when finished. The only reason I fall when water sking has to be the darned ice holes. Ya that's the story.


If you ever saw the movie "Johnny Dangerously" with Michael Keaton, the bad guy Roman Maroni used the term "Ice Hole".

[Island Girl]

Check out the Pine Island cam... the ice is coming... Do the "no wind" ice dance!!!

http://www.rattlesnakecam.com/icein.htm

IG

[Bear Islander]

I have ice on the BearCam today, except for around my aquatherm.

The satellite connection to my high resolution camera has been coming and going. Good thing I left the old dial up camera in operation.

[Woodsy]

Its supposed to get warm over Christmas with rain... Any ice out in the bigger water will probably disappear. Some of the small coves might stay frozen.

Woodsy

[Gilligan]

Originally Posted by Orion

Thank You IG!
Makes it easy to get all the info in one place. Good for quick checks from WORK (spoken like Maynard G. Krebs ....if anyone remembers)

Shhhh, that was a secret identity. Maynard G. Krebbs (yes, it's spelled with 2, b's) was like the nations original Hippie. They called it a "beatnik" back then but Maynard was a "Hippie" before that word existed. Many still blame Maynard for popularizing what became the Hippie culture so I don't talk about that too much. It was almost like a different life!

I tried to work (WORK!) on a boat but that did not last too long. A bit more than 3 hours. The most work (WORK!) I do now is checking out this forum, watching IG's lake cam page and playing my old Maynard bongo drums. Has anyone seen Zelda Gilroy around the Lake? I had a thing for her and that nose wrinkle. Ahh good buddy Dobie Gillis or, as beatnik Maynard called him clandestinely, Doobie .

BTW, Not working is my way to avoid paying Mass State income tax

[Kevin C]

Gilligan,
Here's Zelda !......

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheila_Kuehl

[19MileBaylover]

It's been two weeks since Zee's report on 19 and 20 mile bay ice. It seems to ice up here first -- and sometimes thaws first in the spring.
Anyway, anyone been by these bays lately? It's been warmer, but am wondering if it's still socked in. Went ice skating on 19 mile bay on New Years, 1991 -- like glass. Haven't seen it since.
Wish there was a cam.

[Rattlesnake Gal]

We drove by the area today and it seems to be iced in. Center Harbor was as well. It was too foggy to get any photos.

[Zee]

Yep, ice is still there but with much water on the top. Some dolt had a snowmobile out there the other day. He/she made one loop out about 400 feet then came back in. Yikes!!! There appears to be a small ice ridge running paralell to the shore about 40 feet out.

[Lakegeezer]

From Moultonboro Bay up to Lees Mills, the ice is safe (except in the narrows). A couple of test spots showed the depth at about 6". The first 2" is brittle, but its on top of four solid inches. The ice skating is very nice - the snowmobile conditions are "don't bother". No snow on the ice at all to lube the track. Best ice conditions on New Year's eve in four years.

[mcdude]

With colder temps and no wind, both Alton Bay (from Echo Point up to the Broads) and Wolfeboro Bay formed a skim layer of ice overnight on Friday. Three snowmobiles were out on Alton Bay (....what are they thinking?) and the first bobhouse has been placed about halfway between the Mt. Washington dock and the "floating" bandstand. Temps today (New Year's Day) are about 15 degrees up on the mountain. Go pats!!

[DRH]

It's all of 22 degrees today here at the lake in West Alton. We can see a skim-coat of ice forming in some areas.

Here's today's West Alton Ice-In Watch photo:

[mcdude]

[Niceorange]

I was up on Sunset Lake last week until Friday and watched the rain melt a good 6-8 inches of snow we had, but it didn't do much to the ice on the lake so far as I could tell. I was happy that Friday ushered in some more cold weather... Friday morning looked like a bad mud season! Was down in the bay on Thursday and couldn't see much on account of the fog, but that picture McDude posted looks great! For me I just need snow by Jan 25th for my annual "snowmobile weekend" with my college buddies. Work will keep me away until then

[spotsink]

We were up in the Lakes Region on Saturday the 31st looking at some land. We noticed several Bob Houses out on 19 Mile Bay and some people fishing about 50' from shore on 20 Mile Bay.

Has anyone been out toward Cow or Little Bear? What are conditions out that way? With people reporting ice as much as 6" thick already, it won't be long before winter sports are in full swing on the lake. I think now might be a good time to pass along a link I copied last year on ice strength. It should be noted that this chart is for MOVING loads and not for static loads like someone or something sitting in one place for a while.

http://www.mvp-wc.usace.army.mil/ice/ice_load.html

[upthesaukee]

Went out and ran some errands and took some pictures for Snake eyes's ice in page, and then went back down to the bay to see what was going on. This plane came in and made a "touch and go" landing, that is briefly touching down and then lifting off again. He then came back around and landed! I jumped out with my camera, and got him taxiing back in to near the band stand. Like I said, someone's gotta be first!



And in case we have any of our Fly-in friends checking in, here's a hazard to navigationfor you. On the WEST side of the bay at the BOAT DOCKS pretty good sized crane

[gtxrider]

I looks like winter on the bay! I hope the crane has a beacon on top for the low flying planes.

Are they building something by the public docks or the the crane just being parked there?

[FLAG!]

I noticed that ice formed during the course of the day today. When I got to work this morning I checked out the rattlesnake cam and it showed nothing but open water. This afternoon it was snow covered ice as far as I could see. A quick look at the other cams showed snow covered ice almost everywhere. Now, we just need it to stay cold long enough to form enough ice to withstand the thaw headed our way next week!!! Go Pats!

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by gtxrider

I looks like winter on the bay! I hope the crane has a beacon on top for the low flying planes.

Are they building something by the public docks or the the crane just being parked there?

No, there's no light on the top of the crane.

The crane is there to remove the concrete walkway sections on the town docks, remove four finger docks that need replacing,and to install no "Trex" type docking material on the removed portions. This will make the entire dock area more like the "Shipley at the Pier" end of the dock, and hopefully make the docks actually safer to walk on. The sections being replaced had become uneven, and presented a trip & fall hazard. Can't wait til spring to see how the whole dock area looks afterwards. .

[Resident 2B]

Originally Posted by FLAG!

Now, we just need it to stay cold long enough to form enough ice to withstand the thaw headed our way next week!!!

It looks to me like it will be normal or a bit below normal through Thursday, which at this time of year is below freezing most of the time. Thursday and Friday should give us get two days of above normal, but the ice should be set up by then. Then it looks real cold, near zero at night for several nights.

If the wind stays down, and it looks like it will, I think the ice is here to stay.

It is almost time to start the "Ice-Out" Contest, one of the first signs of spring!

[Locke's Islander]

I was at the Glendale Docks today and all was iced in. Some
was tooo weak to support the snow and looked a bit soggy!
However Lilly Pond had snomobile tracks last week!

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

No, there's no light on the top of the crane.

The crane is there to remove the concrete walkway sections on the town docks, remove four finger docks that need replacing,and to install no "Trex" type docking material on the removed portions. .

Progress is being made on this project. Here's a pic taken on 01-07-06

[Island Girl]

The Broads looks to be mostly iced over. Let's hope it does not melt as temperatures rise this week... It is time to play!!

Ice dancers, snow dancers.... double up your efforts!!

[Quilt Lady]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

Ice dancers, snow dancers.... double up your efforts!!

I'm dancing as fast as I can but all we're getting is fog! Should I lift my feet higher or wave my arms faster? The Babes On Sleds are ready to roll if Mother Nature would just get her act together! Maybe we need to wiggle something to get the snow machine to work!

[Island Girl]

Maybe there is just too much hot air where you are.... !

[DRH]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

Maybe there is just too much hot air where you are.... !

You talkin' about ME?

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by Quilt Lady

I'm dancing as fast as I can but all we're getting is fog! Should I lift my feet higher or wave my arms faster? The Babes On Sleds are ready to roll if Mother Nature would just get her act together! Maybe we need to wiggle something to get the snow machine to work!

We need to do something otherwise we're going to have to put pontoons on the crib and get Pepper to wear a Mae West in lieu of her diaper. Don't know what to do about us mushers though ....

[DRH]

Mother Nature isn't helping us much this week, either. The outside temp. rose by 10 degrees within an hour this evening, and it's now 38 degs and windy.

[upthesaukee]

Funny you mention the temp increase...Wife and I left Alton going to Gilford to do some food shopping. Outside temp as we started down rte 11 by 11D closest to Alton Bay was 29. We got by William Tell restaurant, and the temp was 40! we hadn't noticed the increase. It stayed at 40 past Ames Farm, and about the time we were going past Ellacoya, the temp started to drop. Got to the lights at Patricks, temp was 32. Got to Hannafords and it was 30.

Came out and going by the entrance to the airport, temp was 29. Went by Gilford Yacht club and the temp started rising again, and was at 41 before we got to Ames Farm. It stayed there until we went by West Alton Marina's road, dropped to 40 and then 39 before the road into Minge Cove. Got to the scenic views overlooking Alton Bay, temp was 30!

The time frame was about 5:45 to 7 PM. Once home, I decided to clean the driveway off of the dusting of snow we got today, and while doing that, had a brief moment or two of warm air that felt like walking out of the cold into a nice warm house. Strange N.E. weather. (and that was with no black russians, green creme de menthe, in fact nary a stimulant... ).

[Mr. V]

I know that recently a winter went by without the ice freezing over; could be increasingly common with global warming.

My question: does the failure of the lake to freeze cause any negative things to happen, e.g. high hatch rates for insects?

[nj2nh]

It's been quite warm down here in North Jersey and I was wondering if it was the same up there and if it has effected the ice-in? I love seeing all those webcams. What a wonderful idea. Keeps me in touch with my favorite place on earth. I especially appreciate whoever it is who takes the still pics on Alton Bay. We could just make out our house on Echo Point in one of them.

Thanks!

Jersey Girl (missing the lake tremendously)

[Island Girl]

I just can't look anymore... It looks like ice-out not ice-in.

[DRH]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

I just can't look anymore... It looks like ice-out not ice-in.

Yes, the high winds of last night and the above-freezing temps. have done a job on the ice, especially in the Broads (as Snake Eyes readily shows).

We still have ice between Minge Cove and Sleepers/Cub/Treasure Islands, but it's open water again from a line between Treasure Island and Rum Point all the way over to Barndoor Island.

[spotsink]

Someone should save the images from "Snake Eyes" and the weather pattern too and then just replay them in the spring... If we start in March maybe by April the ice will be out again...

[Island Girl]

I do save a picture almost every day...sometimes more. This is copywrited material, so others should not be.... I allow a little leeway if asked by someone who wants to put that together...

If I had time, I could show a year and a half of that view!!!

IG

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by Jersey Girl

I especially appreciate whoever it is who takes the still pics on Alton Bay. We could just make out our house on Echo Point in one of them.

Thanks!

Jersey Girl (missing the lake tremendously)

What side of Echo Point are you on, JG? Peggy Cove Side, on on the point itself, or the "broads" side? I can try to get a better picture of the general area of your property.

I've been doing most of the "Baywatch" pictures and DRH has been doing the West Alton Pics.

Cheer up, the days are getting longer!!!!!! Take a run up over Presidents Day Weekend. Alton Bay Winter Carnival that weekend!!!!!

[KBoater]

I'm surprised that you are having a mini "Ice Out". I sent all my cold Florida weather north yesterday so I could do some sunbathing today.

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by FLboater

I'm surprised that you are having a mini "Ice Out". I sent all my cold Florida weather north yesterday so I could do some sunbathing today.

So now we know who to "thank" That's exactly what we've got, FLORIDA style "cold" weather

[pparisi133]

Good evening.....

I've been following this discussion group for a while now, and watching the web cams. But not being a native, I'm curious....what do the senior members think about ice-in? Will the derby be in jeopardy, or can the lake lock-up quickly if we get the cold weather? Thanks for your thoughts......

A "southern NH flat-lander".

[Mink Islander]

there are a number of variables. Generally, all we really need at this point is a good weeklong coldsnap -- not in the forecast over the next 10 days unfortunately -- and avoid a deep blanket of snow that would insulate the ice and slow it down. In my experience, it's typically the third week of January before the area near my island home is safe (for me that means 7" of ice and plenty of evidence of sled activity in the area) so while we thought we'd have ice early this year with the December cold snap, we're really looking about average or a little worse right now. Got over 3 weeks til the Derby. Lots of time....

[FLAG!]

I would have to say from my experience and this would be the 20th year I've been up there for the derby, there have been numerous years in which we were concerned that the lake would not freeze up solid enough for derby weekend. However It seems to me that the average ice in must be some time in late January. And we'll still have 18" inches of ice in time for the derby (an optimistic thought I know). I only recall one derby in the last 20 years that was postponed a week. So basically, my view is: It's not time to panic... yet.

[JTA]

I would agree ... don't panic yet. I have a week booked for Feb 19th and I expect to be on the lake (and safe). Funny ... I thought Island Girl was playing with my mind as I was patiently watching the Snakeyes cam for ice on the Broads and then one day, there it was! The next day ... open water!

[FLAG!]

Well here we are again, the temps are there for ice, but the wind wont let it happen. Can anyone tell me if anyone is fishing on Wolfeboro Bay yet?

[upthesaukee]

here's a shot of wolfeboro of the wolfe cam on 011606 late afternoon:

[Pepper]

EI YI YI it's getting harder and harder to see any "real" ice on the lake! Between the temps, the pouring rain, and this incredible wind the situation is getting worse by the hour!

Those of you who've watched the winter weather for years have any prognostications on whether or not we're actually going to have a true "ice in" this year? Any comments on whether or not it will have a chance to knit properly in time for the Alton Bay Winter Festival, the Ice Fishing Derby and the Sled Dog Races? I must admit I'm getting very nervous about this ice situation.

[FLAG!]

Yes, I too am a bit concerned about ice by feb. It's not looking good right now. Long range forcast is no good either. I had planed to do some ice fishing this weekend in Wolfboro, but that doesn't look good. The only thing to keep in mind is that it only takes one dead calm and very cold night to set things up and then a few days of cold weather. If conditions were perfect the lake could theoretically lock in over the course of a couple days. But that's counting on a change in the weather trend...

[Island Girl]

Get those boats ready... Cruising the lake in February... what a concept!

Ugh!

[hockeypuck]

I am also a little nervous about ice for the fishing derby and sled dog races. Have planned to bring five couples up from Connecticut for the derby weekend. We don't need to fish, but it would be fun, and would keep the ladies out of the stores. Well there's always Patricks Pub Hope the dogsleds have wheels. I really appreciate the updates on ice in. Down here in CT it's been very warm, windy and wet. Global warming?

[fatlazyless]

It's perfectly legal to fish, rigged for smallies, all year round except for their two week spawning in June. Don't know, but it's most likely too early to put the dock-boatlift-boat back in. Could be the right time of year to try out fly fishing for smallmouth bass and other sunfish from a kayak. ...can't go skiing....and could be that battery operated tip-up jigger, www.naturevisioninc.com, will not be seeing any action any time soon.

[hockeypuck]

Fatlazyless - Thanks for posting the link. I checked out the battery powered tip up. What will they think of next. Maybe catch some battery powered fish

[hazelnut]

All that cold air is locked up on the other side of the planet. All we need is a little and they have plenty to spare!!!! I guess it's all cyclical. We'll get ours (hopefully).

http://www.moscowtimes.ru/stories/2006/01/19/003.html

[emailmannh]

The lake is like glass off Rattlesnake this morning. A beautiful sight to those of us who would like to ride our Jetski. Seriously considering it for tomorrow 1/21. If the winds continue to be calm. Does anyone know of an open launch on the south side of the lake? I'm thinking Glendale as water is now open off Varney Point. Alton must be socked in.

[DRH]

Originally Posted by emailmannh

The lake is like glass off Rattlesnake this morning. A beautiful sight to those of us who would like to ride our Jetski. Seriously considering it for tomorrow 1/21. If the winds continue to be calm. Does anyone know of an open launch on the south side of the lake? I'm thinking Glendale as water is now open off Varney Point. Alton must be socked in.

I think that's ice you are seeing in the Snake Eyes image. The temp. dipped into the 20s last night and the wind died, resulting in a skim coat of ice. At least that's I see between Minge Cove and the southern side of Rattlesnake.

I wouldn't advise a jet ski ride, even if the thin layer of ice melts (which will probably happen as the air temp. is supposed to get near 40 today). Before the skim coat appeared overnight, there were many chunks of ice floating around the lake yesterday. We can see them frozen into the skim coat of ice this morning. Better to be safe and not venture out on a jet ski in these conditions.

[Island Girl]

Let's hope for a cold night again tonight!

[upthesaukee]

There was some serious ice melt out at the end of Alton Bay this past week. I finally got to take a picture on Thurs late, and put arrows on the picture to show where the ice is. The ice was still in by Camp Kabeyan, but angled back down the bay from their cove towards the Scenic View on Rte 11. Result was open water on the middle and west side of the end of the bay, all the way over to Little Mark and it looked like back to the area of Boulder Lodge. Maybe the colder temps will get the ice in going again.

[emailmannh]

My buddy and I had planned to ride Saturday, although Friday would have been the better day with all the smooth water. It looks like Saturday will be rainy and too windy. Thanks to those who replied to my earlier message. Let the ice come on. We'll try in April to get that first jetski ride in. In 2005 it was on April 11th. And our last ride was December 1st, one of the best, if not the best ride of the year. The water had never been calmer. Enjoy the ice, it will be fun to watch on the cams. My thanks to those who have them.

[emailmannh]

What a very interesting picture. Thanks for the cam Island Girl.

[JTA]

I wonder if the Broads is finally set to freeze, or did Island Girl use a computer generated mosaic to trick us? Looks like a hard freeze will do it but the long range forcast may not be cold enough. I love the Snakeyes cam Island Girl!

[Zee]

I've been watching the bob house activity on 19 mile bay. In past years there were usually about 8 houses. This weekend there were atleast 18 with trucks and atv's as well. If parking weren't an issue, they could have the derby there. Maybe the increased activity in this bay is due to the lack of ice elsewhere??? I am curious as to how thick the ice really is there.

[Merrymeeting]

As many had predicted, it's amazing to me how quickly the areas skim over once the temps drop below freezing again. On Saturday, we had temps in the 50's and open water everywhere.

Today, most cams showing snow staying on top of a VERY thin layer of ice. But if the temps stay low, it appears the ice will thicken quickly. The temperature mass of the water body seems ready.

The part I'm trying to figure out is the forecast. Here in central MA, they are predicting 40's tomorrow, but then mid-30's at best (mostly below freezing) at least until the weekend. Yet the long range forcast for the lakes shows temps in the 40's most of the week, at least at the sites I looked at.

[DRH]

There's a pretty good weather page on WASR's web site, including a long-range forecast from the National Weather Service for the Lakes Region. According to the NWS forecast, the high temps. in Wolfeboro are supposed to be 27 today, 35 on Tue, 31 on Wed, 27 on Thu, and 30 on Fri.

The URL is http://www.wasr.net/

On the home page, click on the "Weather" tab. You can then click on various sections of the lake for local long-range forecasts.

[gtxrider]

DRH, I think your picture is wrong on the Ice In Page or the weather at the West Alton Digi Cam is different than the rest of the lake.

[DRH]

Originally Posted by gtxrider

DRH, I think your picture is wrong on the Ice In Page or the weather at the West Alton Digi Cam is different than the rest of the lake.

Hmmm, what are you are seeing, gtxrider? Here's the photo I posted this morning on the West Alton Digi Cam page:



Are you sure you've cleared your browser's cache? You may be seeing yesterday's picture if you didn't.

[Island Girl]

..... from all the dancing... we got ice... we got snow... Nice job, Babes!

[trfour]

..... Now lets keep dancing so as to keep the deep freeze goin' through February!!

Love,
T.

[nightrider]

Was that an inverted bobhouse in the water at the end of Alton Bay? It appears to have been blown in there Saturday evening during that high wind.

[Quilt Lady]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

..... from all the dancing... we got ice... we got snow... Nice job, Babes!

Riverdance is a stroll in the park compared to the Babes On Sleds doing their Snow Dance. Talk about your "Feet of Flames"!!! We needed the snow just to cool our feet off! I thought my boots were going to melt! Way to go, BOS Ladies and Babes in Training!

[IslandSib]

This reminds me of the ice cream truck coming, when you were little......you can hear the music...
Better get ready!!!

[Orion]

ROTFLMAO.....very funny stuff Quilt Lady.

Web cams all look promising!.....keep fingers crossed and keep on dancin'!

[OVIDGSD]

Can anyone on the ground give us a report on exactly how much snow Winni got yesterday? Thanks!

[Paugus Bay Resident]

We got about 5 inches in Gilford, a little bit more in Alton.

[DRH]

We got about 6" in West Alton.

[Pepper]

What a sight!

Mother Nature's artistry is showing all over the lake this morning!

On the Weirs Cam there is a swirling masterpiece depicting varying thickness and formation of ice with a tapestry of snow atop.

On the Anchor Marine Cam, Crystal formations reflect a rainbow of colors as the sun's angle casts it's rays in a most favorable light.

On Snake Eyes, a field of diamonds delights the eye with an ever-changing arrangement of rainbow lights, as the sun dances across a bejeweled landscape.

If there's anybody out there who can't look at the cams this morning and not wonder about the beauty of nature, well, that would be sad for that person.

I hope you all get an opportunity to view this spectacle before it passes!

[SIKSUKR]

I'm with you Pepper!! I think winter in NH can be absolutley spectacular!Get out there and enjoy this beautifull part of the world on a sunny winters day.There's nothing like it!!Smell that awesome mountain air and look around at the snow covered landscapes even if you don't indulge in winter activities.I myself love being on top of a snow covered mountain on a cobalt blue sunny day with the sun warming your face.I love summer but the crispness and clearity of the air in winter doesn't even compare.More snow please!!!