Do you enjoy ice fishing or ice skating on our beautiful ponds, lakes, rivers and streams? Read ahead. Every year we here about unfortunate accidents with people, kids and/or pets cracking through the ice due to thawing conditions outside. Plus, spring flooding can hit some places rather significantly.  After reading some of this important information from the National Weather Service, tell me what your plans are as temperatures warm up by commenting on this web story. 

Here is some important information from the National Weather Service in Albany regarding ice conditions on area rivers, lakes, streams and ponds.

The National Weather Service is warning that ice conditions are expected to deteriorate Wednesday through Saturday this week, increasing the risk to those engaging in recreational ice activities.  Warmer temperatures and thawing conditions will increase risks to those venturing onto the ice. If you decide to go on the ice, the following safety precautions are recommended. 

•Consider the weather. Warmer temperatures may weaken the ice and shifting winds may break the ice.  Warmer temperatures may produce snowmelt and runoff into area creeks and streams which will weaken or melt the ice at the mouth of the creek or stream. Avoid water covered ice. 

•Stay away from cracks, seams, pressure ridges and slushy areas which signify thinner ice. Never go out on the ice alone. 

•Carry a whistle or other sound producing device to alert people you are in distress. 

•Carry a flashlight or flares to signal for help.

•Dress in layers and bright colors and wear an anti exposure suit with a personal flotation device. 

•Ensure you notify a trusted family member or friend of where you will go on the ice, your destination, who is with you, and when you will return. 

•Carry some type of ice awls, ice picks or screwdrivers that can be used as spikes to pull yourself up if you break through the ice. 

•You are encouraged to be aware of the current weather conditions and forecasts, especially in the event of rapidly changing weather.  To report a person in distress by telephone, dial 911.

Here is some important information from the National Weather Service in Buffalo regarding the potential for some flooding due to warmer temperatures.

Our region is about to experience a major and prolonged thaw which will result in dramatically changing conditions through Saturday February 19. Temperatures into the 40°s and 50°s will prevail from Thursday afternoon through Friday afternoon. This will result in a rapid runoff from the dense snowpack and cause river and creeks to rise to near bankful. There is a threat for ice jams on the usual prone creeks. There will be little rainfall accompanying this thaw however.  So widespread flooding is not expected at this time.  But there will be ponding of water in the typical low lying areas. The situation will continue to be monitored.

As a result, we will increase the "near term" flood outlook to "above normal" across the entire region, but hold the longer term outlook (1-6 weeks) to near normal. The situation will be re-evaluated after the thaw and runoff ends and a new regular scheduled outlook will be issued Saturday February 19.  Here is a summary of conditions and outlook by basin as of the morning of Wednesday February 16th:

Genesee river basin / Finger Lakes / Rochester area

•Snow cover...5 to 10 inches.

•Water equivalent... 1 to 3 inches.

•River/creek flows...near normal.

•River/creek ice.....some.

•Ground frost........6 to 12 inches.

•Ground state........saturated.

•Short term outlook  (1-4 days)...above normal.

•Long term outlook (1-6 weeks)...near normal.

Black and Salmon River basins / Tug Hill

•Snow cover..........10 to 18 inches valley, 20 to 30 inches Tug Hill.

•Water equivalent... 2 to 4 inches valley, 3 to 6 inches Tug Hill.

•River/creek flows...slightly above normal.

•River/creek ice.....substantial.

•Ground frost........1 to 2 feet.

•Ground state........saturated.

•Short term outlook (1-4 days)...above normal.

•Long term outlook  (1-8 weeks)...near normal.

For more on your weather forecast, click on "Weather" and then the "Live Triple Doppler Radar" tab on our weather page. Make sure you refresh the Doppler radar to see the very latest information, as well. Furthermore, we have our new Interactive Doppler Radar on our website. You can zoom down to street level with Interactive Doppler Radar. You are in total control of where the radar can zoom in. Give it a try. Plus, click on our Severe Weather Tab and our Watches and Warnings map to see the very latest county specific watches and warnings. In addition, you can become my facebook friend here, and  "follow" along with me on Twitter here.