Warm-up increases danger on the ice

WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - After daytime highs were in the teens and 20s last week, western Massachusetts is heading for a big warm-up .

Near the Hampton Ponds in Westfield, residents know the dangers that the ice can bring, especially with a winter warm-up.

"When I go by the ponds every day when it's warm and then we get one week of cold and we get warm again I worry, because it doesn't take that long to thaw it out," said Cheryl Thibierge of Westfield.

In some places that's already happening.

At the Hampton Ponds there are some clear signs that the ice is just not very thick in spots, or in some cases, not frozen at all.

For experienced ice fisherman, our coming warm-up could bring danger on the ice.

"If it warms up considerably you've got to be careful because the ice will get thinner, you'll get soft spots in it, especially along the edge of the pond," said Ron Palmer of Longmeadow.

According to Mass Wildlife, you should stay off the ice if it's n ot thicker than 2 inches .

The snow covered ice means you won't be able to see what problems you could be getting into.

"You're not going to be able to tell the depth of that ice and if it's less than two inches you're going to go right through it," said Captain Paul Lentini of the Westfield Fire Department.

Ice is typically at its thinnest near the waters edge or where there is a current.