snow cover on ice and its effect.

[fishnut]

I have a question...

Today in Saskatoon we got about 15 cm of snow.  About a week ago we got another 10cm.   

Here's my question:

Will ice still melt if the temp goes above 0 and it has 25cm of snow on it, or does all the snow have to melt first before the ice on the lake starts to melt? 

fishnut

[trapperdirk]

Snow melts first .

                   TD

[hali-man]

Snow melts first.

And it's really hard to drag your gear in the process.

[Tip-UpTommer]

snow actually has higher isulative properties than most think. it can be up to 30 degrees warmer under a couple of feet of snow. while the ice wont melt as fast with snow on it, it also will make less ice when it is cold.

[NickP]

Word being a couple feet


people seem to think 1-2in dustings ruin ice when in fact anything that melts in the sun instantly freezes or refreezes by sundown