A word of caution if you plan to visit either of our Great Lakes this winter.
While it may seem cold or even frigid to you, the Coast Guard Buffalo Office says unusually high temperatures have weakened the ice on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
The Coast Guard says it’s received multiple reports of people falling through the ice this season and with warm temperatures ahead, the ice is only expected to get thinner.
"According to the National Weather Service, the 2020-21 winter season temperature averaged 32 degrees, comparatively the 2021-22 winter season has averaged 34 degrees as of Feb. 14," the Coast Guard said in a press release. "Due to increased outside temperatures, ice thickness may have reduced to levels unsuitable for recreational purposes. The current forecast projects unseasonably warm daytime temperatures, which can rapidly reduce ice thickness and contribute to unsafe conditions. The Coast Guard continues to advice the public not to venture onto the ice and to never assume the ice is safe."
The Coast Guard warns you not to venture out on the ice, never assume it’s safe and take safety precautions if you’re going near the shoreline.
"Hypothermia remains the biggest danger after falling through the ice," the Coast Guard said. "The Coast Guard recommends keeping in mind the 1-10-1 rule: one minute to exercise breathing control, 10 minutes of meaningful movement and one hour of consciousness before the body’s core temperature drops too low."
They also advise wear bright colors, carry a whistle or air horn, a walkie talking and some sort of locating beacon.
The warning comes ahead of the first of several planned free fishing weekends for New Yorkers without licenses across the state, from Feb. 19-20.