Snow on ice

[beershanty]

We are getting pounded with snow right now, would a foot of snow make 3-4" s of good hard ice totally unsafe? I am debating on going out in this crap but I'm also concerned about the weight of the snow, just curious on your opinion or experience with this. Usually we have 16+"s if ice and no worries this time of year, now it's pretty much 1st ice again.

[rags]

My thought I go by is , when in doubt stay off

[ICE WANDERER]

            What will most likely happen, the weight of the snow will push down on the ice, and water will come up on top.
            It could be very well unsafe until it freezes up again. If you want to try and go out, make sure you have a spud
            work your way out! Good luck!

            IW

[Fishmon]

Make sure you wear waterproof boots if you do go out.  Areas around the holes you cut will turn into slush ponds.  Most of all - be safe!

[Chris338378]

Two other things to keep in mind is the new snow will hide the ice so if there's any bad spots that developed you're more than likely not going to see them.  The other problem is wet snow adds a lot of weight to the ice so if there's a weak spot you stepping on it could be the breaking point.  Now if it's the light puffy snow that doesn't add too much weight but when it starts to melt you have the issues of the wet snow, which is what it becomes, and lots of slush and water setting on the ice.