The NVE Ice Alert Service advises that there may be good ice conditions over the Christmas season. The cold weather that is to come is conducive to the rapid build-up of ice, and there is a lot of satisfactory ice in several places in the country.
Winter started with good frost and good ice growth, but growth stopped due to snow.
- When the cold comes back on the Christmas and New Year's Eve weekend, the conditions will be favorable for the rapid accumulation of ice, also on many small and medium-sized lakes that are still not frozen. This will ensure that there will be plenty of satisfactory ice throughout the Christmas season. Ice skating and fishing will be possible, both in the lowlands and in the lower mountain areas. If there is fresh snow, ice growth is slowed down. In addition, it will be difficult to judge its durability, says ice warrior Kjetil Melvold.
Several large and medium-sized reservoirs will not be ready yet
While there will be good ice skating opportunities in many places, NVE insists that a few large and medium-sized waters will not be ready.
"It's important to remember that the thickness of the ice varies more in large waters than in small ones, and then it's easier to suddenly land on thin ice," says Melvold.
Most of the ice in Troms and Finnmark is adequately thick, with the exception of the largest and lowest lakes in Troms. There is a lot of good ice in Nordland and Trøndelag a little higher, while the ice in the lowlands is weakened where water flows beneath the ice, for example at inlets, outlets and in narrow straits. To the west and south, you have to go to the higher forest areas and to the mountains to find the right ice today. On varsom.no Find ice warnings and up-to-date traffic tips.
Key with an emphasis on safety
When we enter the icing period, many are tempted to try ice skates. Then it is important to know the ice conditions well and focus on safety.
- Remember that without ice knowledge, safety gear, and more, moving on thin ice is risky. Don't think ice is safe because you can see others on the ice. Those who are experienced can walk on very thin ice, but they are knowledgeable about ice and know how to avoid the most dangerous places. In addition, they have dry clothes, ice skewers, throwing ropes and ice sticks to quickly check the thickness of the ice, says ice warning Kjetil Melvold.
You can find ice observations on iskart.no, where we also encourage you to report your own observations. Otherwise, see more detailswww.varsom.no/isvarsling. You will also find hereice schools with safety tips.
Source: Norwegian Directorate of Water Resources and Energy (NVE)
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