[Merrymeeting]

The large portions of Merrymeeting that I can see mostly skimmed over last night, though there are still open areas. If the wind picks up today, I expect it will break up. But today and tomorrow are forecast to be very calm.

It will be interesting to see how much of the predicted warm-up we get later in the week, and whether it has an impact on the developing ice. While the forecast has days above freezing, the nights (and majority of each 24 hour period) will be below freezing.

Despite what many seem to perceive, things are really not much off the normal "ice-in" schedule. It is rare for Merrymeeting to show much ice before the New Year. But is is usually solidly frozen by mid-January. The key is for the surface to skim over completely so the wind doesn't break it up. Once formed, if the temps are below freezing, the ice thickens quickly.

All that said, please be careful! The next few weeks are, unfortunately, guaranteed to include stories of bright bulbs who venture out on the ice too soon and end up in the drink. Stay safe everyone!