Record ice-in hits a snag, for now

Remember that commercial that said, “Don’t mess with Mother Nature?”

Last week it seemed all but certain that a new record for a late “ice-in” date would be set.  After all, unseasonably warm weather had kept Clear Lake ice-free and there was no signs of it letting up.  The record late ice-in date of Dec. 24, 2001 was all but on the way out.

But Mother Nature had other plans.

Saturday, Dec. 19, temperatures dipped and the winds, which have seemed to gust endlessly throughout November and December, decided to take a rest.

“Ice-in” was declared by officials at the Water Treatment Plant on Saturday, Dec. 19.

But wait!

According to Paul Fredriksen, superintendent of the Water Department, a record may still be in our grasp.

“Due to predicted warm weather this week, the lake may open up.  When the lake does refreeze, that will then be the official date,” he said.

The freeze, thaw and re-freeze has occurred before, according the Fredriksen.

Records show that in 1987 the lake opened up on Dec. 12 and 13 before refreezing on Dec. 14 and 15.  In 1988, the lake opened up due to high winds on Nov. 27, before refreezing on Nov. 28.  In 1994, the lake was partially frozen on Dec. 1, but finally froze over on the 10th, he said.

So will there be a record ice-in?  Only Mother Nature knows for sure.