Rain and Snow Ice Effect

[tanner12]

how does rain and snow effect ice condition? weve had a good bit of snow and freezing rain over the past 2 days and was wondering how the ice will be effected

[fishguts.]

proably depends on your temprature more than anything . the one thing with a big snow fall is it will weigh down the ice and water will come ontop of the ice. makes it a real mess if your shanty isn't up off the ice good.

[wisicefishinnut]

Heavy amounts of snow might sink the ice and flood the lake slightly,or it could stay the same.  Light snow fall will hardly effect ice conditions.  Heavy rains will deteriorate ice very quickly.  You may get the honey comb effect from water seeping through the ice.  This is very dangerous and you shouldn't go out on honeycombed ice. Good luck and test the ice conditions.

[swampbuckster]

Yeah, here in Michigan we just got a new 12" on top of the 8" we've already had! The lakes will be pretty messy in a couple of days if the sun starts shining! Time to take the shanty off the lake for a few days anyways. Got some repairs to do and moving it over to a sled drag/ ice fishing tournament this weekend.

[dogfish]

Nothing eats away ice faster than rain.
Snow insulates so ice will not form as fast and created weight letting water on top of the ice forming (yuk) slush.

[Fish Monger]

Right, rain as wind will chew the ice away in no time.