SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – It has been a very cold week and ice has formed on many area ponds. While it may look inviting, it may not be safe.
Ice has formed on the ponds in Forest Park in Springfield but there are signs posted, warning people to stay off the ice. The Springfield Police Department has also issued a warning to residents and visitors to stay off the ice on city ponds.
Rosemary Penna of Springfield told 22News, “Yeah, I don’t go out on the ponds, I stay off the ice. I used to ice skate when we were kids but not anymore so I’m not an ice person.”
It may have been cold enough for the ice to form but it hasn’t been cold long enough for the ice to thicken. The ice needs to be more than two inches thick to walk out on and it needs to be at least four inches thick for ice fishing. As for vehicles, ice should be at least five inches for ATVs, eight to twelve inches for a smaller car and more than a foot for medium sized trucks.
Always remember that the ice can never be considered completely safe.
Adam Strzempko is a meteorologist who has been a part of the 22News team since 1996. Follow the 22News Storm Team on X @22NewsStormTeam and view his bio to see more of his work.