With temperatures reaching record highs in Madison Sunday, Lake Mendota is ahead of the average too; this year it is thawing days earlier than springs in the past.
According to UW-Madison meteorology professor Steve Vavrus, the lake froze so late this year, so the ice did not have enough time to get as thick as it usually does. He added the large amounts of snow Madison received also slowed the ice freezing process.
""Snow cover tends to hinder the growth of ice. It probably didn't get as thick as usual,"" Vavrus said.
According to Vavrus, the average thaw date for Lake Mendota is April 5, but because of this year's weather patterns, he predicts it will thaw completely by March 28. Vavrus also said a test is held annually that officially consecrates Mendota's thawing.
""It has to be clear enough to sail from Point Place to Governor's Island. [The lake] is not officially open until those two transects are clear,"" Vavrus said.
Still, WKOW 27 Chief Meteorologist Bob Lindmeier said a late lake freeze usually translates into a late thaw. He said the factors that determine the speed at which ice melts are ice thickness and the outside temperatures. According to Lindmeier, the abnormally warm weather the city is presently experiencing may be the reason for a relatively early thaw.
""A normal high [for this time of year] is about 44,"" Lindmeier said. However, forecast temperatures for this week are well above average in the 60s and 70s.
Those who take advantage of the lake during the winter months, such as ice fishermen, have since gone home, while others are gearing up for the warm weather.
UW-Madison freshman Richard Smith said the thaw could not come soon enough.
""I can't wait until the lake unfreezes so I can go and row my boat on it,"" Smith said.
Although Mendota is well into the thawing process, some regions are still ice-laden.
Lindmeier and Vavrus agreed the extremely low temperatures during the last weeks of January and early February created ice safe enough to walk on, but said it is no longer in ""walking condition.""
Last week Lindmeier said ice fishermen said they started staying off the lake when they noticed the edges had gotten thin.
Recent warm temperatures have also threatened the stability of the center of Mendota.
""We're into a mild weather pattern now and we're looking for above average temperatures. The ice will continue to melt very quickly,"" Lindmeier said.
