Could "Ice Out " be early?

[The Eagle]

Hay Guys and Gals,
Have you noticed on the Weirs Web cam, and the Anchor Marine Cam, that the ice is already starting to melt away from the shoreline. It is happening much sooner than normal. WE better start getting our boats ready real soon!
"The Eagle"

[Paugus Bay Resident]

From your lips to God's ear!

[spotsink]

Don't be fooled by this mild weather we are experiencing now - there is plenty of winter left and, from all accounts I have heard, more ice in the lake than in many years past. This is my first season of "Lake watching" and I am admittedly no expert... but I have a number of friends that have been ice fishing on the lake for years and they say it has been a long time since they have seen the ice this thick. Check out the "Ice-Out Guess" contest for a wide range of opinions on when we will see open water again and by all means think positively! The sooner the better!




Ice-out Guess Contest (http://www.winnipesaukeeforum.com/contests/2004/)

[Treeerider]

The ice only seems to be going out in these locations because all those crazy "skimmers" are agitating the water there.....many more weeks of cold and ice, keeps those boats all covered in shrink wrap till mid April at least!!!

[NH resident]

I put my boat in last weekend, what are you all talking about???

[J]

Certainly, if you look back at previous years, specifically the water temps, it looks that way. The water this year, according to the temps page, has only dipped below 35 and stayed there for a two-week stretch in January. It has yet to hit 33, and likely will not for the remainder of the winter. It seems that when the water temp hits 39 or 40, and stays that way for a couple days, ice out occurs. Barring any extrememly cold and snowy weather, and if we keep having sunny days with temps above freezing through the first half of March, I think an early ice out is a distinct possibility.

[Merrymeeting]

Yes, even though the ski season still has a ways to go (I hope), I'm getting ready for Spring. While the ice is very thick, one upside I've heard about the lack of snow is that there is no insulating/reflecting layer on the ice to slow the melting process.

Unless we get a big storm, it might go quickly....but... this is New England and it is still February...

[Professor and Mary Ann]

Weir Cam ice indicates that the bubblers or circulators are working properly. I'm with the rest of you, COME ON ICE OUT!!
Figure at least 6 more weeks.

Not too long ago we were waiting for Ice In, go figure.