KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Have you ever noticed it takes a while for the water temperature in a pool to heat up at the beginning of the summer?
Or wonder why there's so much steam issued off a lake on a cold winter morning?
That’s because water holds heat or cold better than air.
We call this water's "specific heat capacity" and it plays a big part in when it's safe for you to venture out onto the ice during winter.
When we have hot summer days and a warm fall season, the water is absorbing the sunshine and heat. Due to the specific heat capacity, it will take longer for water to release all of the heat
Even when cooler air moves in, it takes the water a long time to release that heat, especially if it’s a big lake.
That means water in Mirror Pool off Ward Parkway will freeze over much faster than the lake at Loose Park.
Ice builds from the water banks in, then from the top, down as the outside air cools down the layers of water.
If you are anxious to get out those ice skates or do some ice fishing, you may be asking: What kind of winter days do we need so you can get out and play?
Sub-freezing, clear, and calm nights followed by cloudy cold days are best for developing ice.
The key is patience. Ice doesn't form quickly.
Never venture out on the ice before testing its strength from land. Throwing a large rock as far and high as you can onto the lake can tell you how strong the ice is.
If you venture on the ice after passing the rock test, use a metal prod to check the strength with each step.
Ice will initially be strongest near the shore since the water is shallow
Go out three to four feet from the bank and check the ice depth.
Ice is safe to walk on when it is at least four inches thick.
Ice depth can be checked by drilling a hole in the ice then using a tape measure.
Continue another 10-15 feet and check the ice depth again.
Clear ice is usually more solid and safer than white or grey opaque or snow ice.
Ice fishing can be fun, but without taking safety precautions, it can turn deadly.
In 2019, 56 people in the U.S. died from drowning or frozen lake-related incidents. Based on available data from lakeice.com, that is the most in four years.
If someone breaks through the ice, immediately call 911.
If you try to save someone by venturing out on the compromised ice, it's possible you both could end up in the water.
Stay off the ice at night since you can't see the cracks or weak spots. Always bring a lifejacket and rope with a floatation device.
Your best bet in finding a location to go ice fishing is a farm pond or small lake. Some cities even measure the ice for you.
It always a good idea to check with the Missouri Department of Conservation or Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism for the latest fishing reports.
