As the chill keeps a firm grip on Gothenburg, the region's lakes are freezing up. But wait a few more days before venturing out on the ice. It is still far too thin, warns the ice expert Charlie Malmgren.
He tells GP the ice needs to be at least 10 centimetres thick for it to be safe to walk on. At Härlanda Tjärn it was nine centimetres at the thickest places on Wednesday, but only five centimetres at other places on the ice. And it is not easy to see where the ice is thick or thin as the ice freezes in different layers.
The ice situation at Delsjön on Wednesday was described as "catastrophic". And no other lakes in the region were thick enough too walk on just yet. Even though Stora Mölnesjön in Rannebergen is getting close; seven centimetres thick in the weakest parts. But it's not thick enough.
"We need a couple of more days with minus degrees Celsius in order to secure the ice. But that is based on that we don't get any more snow," said Charlie Malmgren to GP.
Ice advice:
- Always bring ice nails, a whistle, a lifeline and an ice pick to measure the thickness of the ice. - Always be accompanied by at least one person when venturing out on unknown ice. - Don't expect the ice to not break just because you've seen someone else on it. - The most dangerous parts are usually where the ice is covered by snow, as well as under bridges and near wharfs and piers, inlets and shallows. Currents also weaken the ice.
