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Old 02-03-2023, 06:07 PM   #7
DickR
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There are two aspects of wind effects in play here. First, wind over the surface increases heat transfer from water to air. This is especially true if the air mass is quite dry, which enhances heat loss due to evaporation. However, sufficiently strong winds create turbulence and mixing of surface water layers, so that water cooled at the very surface gets mixed rapidly with water below it, making it difficult for a skim ice layer to form.

Here is an interesting piece on ice formation in large lakes: https://www.lakechamplaincommittee.o...g-and-lake-ice
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