Minnesotans Risking Thin Ice During Warm Spell

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - The sheriff's departments from four counties put out thin ice warnings after several close calls on the water this weekend.

Most were from snowmobiles and ATVs breaking through the melting ice, but some calls did require getting cars and trucks out of the lakes.

For those who like winter sports, the melting ice is creating a dangerous situation.

Inconsistencies in its thickness can give some a sense of false security.

When December feels more like May, Minnesotans rush outside to enjoy the unusually warm weather.

"It was perfect," said an ice skater named Bela. "It was a little bit cold in the fog, but it was nice."

On Sunday, around Medicine Lake, where you find joggers and people on bicycles, you also find people on the ice.

For Bella and her mother, Molly, the weather was perfect for ice skating.

"It's kind of bumpy near the shoreline, but other than that, it's very smooth and beautiful," said Molly, another ice skater.

But Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek said people should think twice before stepping out on the ice right now.

"You can go out there today, and it's perfectly fine in one area," he said. "The next day the ice has changed because of the variable conditions. The ice is never totally safe. You can walk out, but even that is dicey."

Stanek said it's dangerous to bring equipment, snowmobiles and ATVs on the ice.

It's unpredictable and, with these warm temperatures, it could be deadly.

"Over the last two years, we've had 28 people go through the ice and three people die," Stanek said.

He said people who drive vehicles on the melting ice are taking a big risk.

Many who watched a motorbike on Medicine Lake agreed with the sheriff and his warnings about warm weather and thin ice.

"It's been 50 degrees for two days in a row," said Rikki Honnold. "You hear every year about people falling through the ice, and I just thought people would know better by now to not do something like that."

Molly and Bella did check the Department of Resources website before going ice skating.

It says 4 inches is safe for skating and Medicine Lake has about 6 inches of ice.

Stanek said everyone should check the DNR's website or inquire about the thickness of the ice at boat launches before getting on what appears to be a frozen lake.