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Safety Tips For Icy Surfaces
December 5, 2025 at 01:43 PM EST
By WeatherBug Meteorologist, Molly Robinson
With meteorological winter well underway, ice becomes more of a concern for many residents. Those in colder climates may partake in ice fishing or winter sports on frozen lakes, but there can still be dangers if you are not fully prepared. Travelling on ice roads too can be troublesome without the proper knowledge.
In regards to ice related activities like ice hockey, ice skating, or ice fishing among others, you should be particularly aware of the ice conditions before partaking in your favorite winter activity. Ideal ice conditions are clear ice, or blue ice, which is formed on top of calm water and is clear, but can appear blue or black depending on how you view it. There are little to no oxygen bubbles, which ultimately creates a very strong ice surface to skate, walk or even drive on. White ice on the other hand occurs when snow melts on top of ice and refreezes. This type of ice is filled with oxygen bubbles, causing it to be weaker than clear ice.
Before walking on a frozen lake, you should first check the ice thickness. Each activity requires a different ice thickness for optimal safety. For clear ice, if the thickness is less than 4 inches, then the ice is not safe. For ice fishing, skating, snowshoeing or other foot related activities, a 4-inch thickness is safe. For snowmobiles, 5 to 7 inches, for ATVs, 7 to 8 inches, for cars 9 to 12 inches, for trucks 13 to 17 inches and for heavy duty vehicles and trucks, 20 inches or more of ice thickness is recommended. If the ice is not clear and is instead white ice, these numbers should be doubled before trekking onto the surface. To measure the thickness, you take an ice chisel and stab it into the ice to create a hole. Then, you measure the thickness with a tape measure by placing it in the hole and hooking the bottom edge of the ice. Ice should be measured frequently so you don’t get surprised with a weak point in the sheet. An ice auger, which is essentially a spiral tool to drill into the ice, can also create a hole in the ice to measure the thickness.
You should also have ice safety gear in preparation before heading out on a frozen lake. This includes a foam lifejacket or a flotation suit, ice picks, whistle, ice cleats, phone, personal locator beacon and rope. Also always inform someone where you are going and when you will return before you leave.
When driving onto a frozen lake, there is an extra added risk. One noteworthy safety reminder is never wear your lifejacket or flotation suit inside a vehicle. In the event this vehicle falls through the ice, it can make escaping the vehicle more difficult. Talk to local experts ahead of time to know the current ice conditions and hazards. Also stay on plowed roads on the ice surface as these have been predetermined as being safe. When it comes to parking, park at least 50 feet away from the next vehicle and move it every two hours to prevent sinking ice. Overriding your headlights is another issue when it comes to driving on ice roads. This occurs when driving too fast at night and by the time your headlights illuminate an hazard in your path, the time to safely stop has already passed. It is best to keep it slow, even below 30 mph, when driving on ice.
In the event your car breaks through the ice, it is best to escape before it sinks. There is a small window of opportunity where your car will stay afloat for a few seconds to as long as several minutes. If the car is still afloat, the side windows are the best escape route, but if the windows are blocked, use a spring loaded hammer or other object to break the glass. Most vehicles will sink at a steep angle due to the engine being at the front of the vehicle. There is also a chance it may land on its roof if the water depth is more than 15 feet deep. If the moment to escape while the vehicle is afloat has passed and it is now fully submerged, then the doors may be a bit easier to open. However, the chances of escaping are still low due to the darkness of being under water and near freezing water temperatures. Plus, the vehicle will most likely be upside down.
In the event you fall in, try not to panic, even if that’s your first instinct. First, keep your winter clothes on as they can trap air to provide warmth and flotation. Then turn towards the direction you fell from and place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface. If you have ice picks handy, use these to help pull yourself up. Kicking your feet while also digging into your ice picks will help you get back onto solid ice. Once you are out of the water and back on the ice, roll away from where you fell in to help spread the weight out and lie flat. Immediately get to a warm and dry area to warm yourself back up. Medical attention may be needed if experiencing hypothermia symptoms. A heart attack is also a concern due to the cold blood in your extremities rushing back to the heart.
In the event someone else falls in, the most important thing is to resist the urge to run up to the edge of the hole as this can result in you falling in as well. Conversate with the victim and encourage and reassure them to fight. This is when your rope in your safety kit comes in handy. Toss the end of the rope to the victim and tell them to tie it around themselves immediately. Find a light boat to push across the ice to the edge of the hole and then get in before helping the victim into the boat. There are times where you don’t have the gear to help or the situation is too dangerous. In that case, call emergency services and continue reassuring the victim before help arrives.
Image by Q K from Pixabay
Source: Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources
In regards to ice related activities like ice hockey, ice skating, or ice fishing among others, you should be particularly aware of the ice conditions before partaking in your favorite winter activity. Ideal ice conditions are clear ice, or blue ice, which is formed on top of calm water and is clear, but can appear blue or black depending on how you view it. There are little to no oxygen bubbles, which ultimately creates a very strong ice surface to skate, walk or even drive on. White ice on the other hand occurs when snow melts on top of ice and refreezes. This type of ice is filled with oxygen bubbles, causing it to be weaker than clear ice.
Before walking on a frozen lake, you should first check the ice thickness. Each activity requires a different ice thickness for optimal safety. For clear ice, if the thickness is less than 4 inches, then the ice is not safe. For ice fishing, skating, snowshoeing or other foot related activities, a 4-inch thickness is safe. For snowmobiles, 5 to 7 inches, for ATVs, 7 to 8 inches, for cars 9 to 12 inches, for trucks 13 to 17 inches and for heavy duty vehicles and trucks, 20 inches or more of ice thickness is recommended. If the ice is not clear and is instead white ice, these numbers should be doubled before trekking onto the surface. To measure the thickness, you take an ice chisel and stab it into the ice to create a hole. Then, you measure the thickness with a tape measure by placing it in the hole and hooking the bottom edge of the ice. Ice should be measured frequently so you don’t get surprised with a weak point in the sheet. An ice auger, which is essentially a spiral tool to drill into the ice, can also create a hole in the ice to measure the thickness.
You should also have ice safety gear in preparation before heading out on a frozen lake. This includes a foam lifejacket or a flotation suit, ice picks, whistle, ice cleats, phone, personal locator beacon and rope. Also always inform someone where you are going and when you will return before you leave.
When driving onto a frozen lake, there is an extra added risk. One noteworthy safety reminder is never wear your lifejacket or flotation suit inside a vehicle. In the event this vehicle falls through the ice, it can make escaping the vehicle more difficult. Talk to local experts ahead of time to know the current ice conditions and hazards. Also stay on plowed roads on the ice surface as these have been predetermined as being safe. When it comes to parking, park at least 50 feet away from the next vehicle and move it every two hours to prevent sinking ice. Overriding your headlights is another issue when it comes to driving on ice roads. This occurs when driving too fast at night and by the time your headlights illuminate an hazard in your path, the time to safely stop has already passed. It is best to keep it slow, even below 30 mph, when driving on ice.
In the event your car breaks through the ice, it is best to escape before it sinks. There is a small window of opportunity where your car will stay afloat for a few seconds to as long as several minutes. If the car is still afloat, the side windows are the best escape route, but if the windows are blocked, use a spring loaded hammer or other object to break the glass. Most vehicles will sink at a steep angle due to the engine being at the front of the vehicle. There is also a chance it may land on its roof if the water depth is more than 15 feet deep. If the moment to escape while the vehicle is afloat has passed and it is now fully submerged, then the doors may be a bit easier to open. However, the chances of escaping are still low due to the darkness of being under water and near freezing water temperatures. Plus, the vehicle will most likely be upside down.
In the event you fall in, try not to panic, even if that’s your first instinct. First, keep your winter clothes on as they can trap air to provide warmth and flotation. Then turn towards the direction you fell from and place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface. If you have ice picks handy, use these to help pull yourself up. Kicking your feet while also digging into your ice picks will help you get back onto solid ice. Once you are out of the water and back on the ice, roll away from where you fell in to help spread the weight out and lie flat. Immediately get to a warm and dry area to warm yourself back up. Medical attention may be needed if experiencing hypothermia symptoms. A heart attack is also a concern due to the cold blood in your extremities rushing back to the heart.
In the event someone else falls in, the most important thing is to resist the urge to run up to the edge of the hole as this can result in you falling in as well. Conversate with the victim and encourage and reassure them to fight. This is when your rope in your safety kit comes in handy. Toss the end of the rope to the victim and tell them to tie it around themselves immediately. Find a light boat to push across the ice to the edge of the hole and then get in before helping the victim into the boat. There are times where you don’t have the gear to help or the situation is too dangerous. In that case, call emergency services and continue reassuring the victim before help arrives.
Image by Q K from Pixabay
Source: Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources