iceboating.net Minnesota Ice Sailing Association

From the National Weather Service Current Forecast

Lake Christina, Ashby, Minnesota

Freeze Warning

Today: A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. Blustery, with a northwest wind between 18 and 23 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph.

Tonight: A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Blustery, with a northwest wind between 17 and 21 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.

Thursday: A chance of snow, mixing with rain after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Windy, with a west northwest wind between 21 and 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Ice conditions - For users - By users.

www.icemap.com provides one-spot shopping for places where there's good ice.

http://www.icemap.com

This just in...and it's big.

Rumblings are we're going to be seeing KA sail numbers on the ice this year...Australian Iceboaters, racing DN's

Several Aussies will be making their winter, er, summer homes in Minnesota and campaigning DN's this winter... forming their Association, ramping up the programs.

Leaving the only continent not fielding DN Fleets to be the only fully frozen continent... Antarctica.

Planet Iceboat... expect to see the Racing Debut of KA sails at the Western Challenge Regatta, which will make it, the event event again Epic by definition, 50+ boats from 3 continents...

NWS Forecast, Battle Lake, MN, FYI there were reportedly over a hundred vehicles on the ice last Sunday. Of course they've probably had some rain, planks to the ice may be called for.

Today: Rain likely, mixing with snow after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Breezy, with a north northwest wind between 22 and 24 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Blustery, with a north northwest wind 19 to 22 mph decreasing to between 9 and 12 mph.

Saturday: Partly cloudy, with a high around 48. Northeast wind 8 to 14 mph becoming south southeast.

Sailed Calhoun this AM, started about 8:00 and finished about 10:00, slush runners the whole time.Motorist on Calhoun BLVD say's he was doing 40 and we were passing him on lake so it was pretty good for a couple of hours. jw

NOAA Detailed 7 Day Forecast - Battle Lake, MN

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ifps/MapClick.php

Today: A chance of rain and snow. Cloudy, with a high around 37. Southeast wind between 12 and 15 mph becoming light. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tonight: A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Calm wind becoming west northwest around 5 mph.

3 DN's reportedly sailed Minnetonka today in 12 - 20 mph wind. Look for a report on conditions experienced by those who sailed.

I drove up I 94 from the Twin Cities Saturday to log a little much needed time with the Princess. Unlike Wisconsin, the Center of the Iceboating World, It's been unquestionably winter in Minnesota until quite recently, (cold temps, snow, etc).

We ran out of the snow just north of the cities, (Rogers) and were subantially clear of snow all the way to Fergus Falls. Right now there are perhaps 40 pretty good spring lakes lakes in Minnesota, (suitable for sailing), e.g., generally clear of snow, solid shore, lots of ice and the sun hasn't gotten to it yet.

From Wekota Beach Park I walked halfway across Tonka Bay towards Big Island. The snow cover is down to the level where it's just starting to show grey on ~ 90 % of the area. This surface is ~ 1/4" of very dense snow, it easily gives way and compresses under foot to the underlying ice surface. The drifted 10% were generally under 1" deep consisting right now of perfect snowball fight grade snow.

http://iceboating.net/node/1396

The weekend weather forecast should take all the snow off by Sunday Afternoon, when we'll get down to the slush program for a little while.

Assessment: Right now, I'd be setting up with snow plates, bringing every runner I own, just in case. When the breeze fills in conditions will probably request a couple runner changes over the next 30 hours, e.g., at some point tomorrow afternoon I'm pretty sure angles will be the fastest, but who knows. I expect the lake will be suitable for at least a week.

Who is going sailing? Anyone going to brave the elements and head out on the ice. If so, where are we headed? Today looks like a better chance than tomorrow...just like last weekend.

William

Ice Report - Lake Pepin on the Iceboat.org message board:

Checked Lake Pepin at Pepin today [Wednesday]. Grey ice 70 -80% clear. With warm temps we should have very sailable ice by the weekend. Ice is still tight along shore and the Pepin landing looks good. 8 or so boats are one the ice at the Pickle Factory.
E.C.Newcomb

Any idea if there might be sailing on Pepin this weekend?

Cheers,

Geoff S.
DN US-5156

Five DN's Sailed Saturday March 4 on Prior Lake, Minnesota in the City of the same name.

602 and 4602 were fast in the early race, until the sun hit the ice and angle runners were compelled. 4811, 824 and 4695 had their moments in the softer ice, in 10-18 mph of wind. As the ice got soft, the competition got tight, the in the last 3 races, the top 3 boats finished within 5 seconds total.

We sailed 5 tight races, the only remarkable hazard was the vehicle traffic on the ice. Over the course of the day there were maybe 10 cars & trucks that needed to be watched carefully. The long narrow course made staying in the breeze a real challenge, and the key to success on the course.

anybody can confirm? hear it is clear, how bumpy? go down 169 to 18 past home depot/sams to launch ramp at big part of lake. also mark-ham is giving report tonight (friday) on lacrosse, may have ice there. what about pepin - newer ice on north end by lake city? tom 612-432-8124

Is anybody up near Duluth and can report the condition of the ice in the harbor?

I have a second hand report that it's 'perfect' and i've always wanted to go sailing up there.

who is ready for a road trip? any ice on small ends of lake geneva/green lake? snow there thursday/friday? tom meyer 612-432-8124

Elk Lake has finally frozen. It made it thru the day and should build ice tonight. We are hoping to sail mid to late week.
You can see updates here

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/J14/

and here

http://360.yahoo.com/jackandkellyjacobsjr

Jack