Milder Weather Brings Ice Safety Concerns
- Small Town Productions
- Dec 16, 2025
- 2 min read
As our region heads into a stretch of warmer weather later this week, residents are being encouraged to take extra care around frozen waterways and to stay off the ice altogether.
Daytime temperatures are expected to rise above the freezing mark on Wednesday and Thursday, with milder conditions potentially continuing into Friday. While this may feel like a brief pause in winter, it can quickly create unsafe and unpredictable ice conditions on lakes, rivers, ponds, and creeks throughout the area.
Ice that once seemed solid can weaken rapidly as temperatures rise. In many cases, there are no clear warning signs. Areas near shorelines, moving water, and runoff are often the first to deteriorate, even when the rest of the surface appears unchanged.
A Community Safety Reminder
This is a moment for neighbours to look out for one another. Whether it’s children playing nearby, pets wandering close to shore, or adults considering recreational activities, the safest choice during changing conditions is to avoid the ice entirely.
Residents are encouraged to:
Stay off the ice, even if it appears solid
Keep children well away from frozen waterways
Keep pets off the ice and away from shorelines
Avoid shoreline edges, which are often the first areas to weaken
A Note for Pet Owners
Pets are especially vulnerable during periods of thaw. Animals may not recognize weakened ice and can easily venture into dangerous areas. Keeping pets leashed and away from frozen waterways during warmer weather can help prevent emergencies before they happen.
Conditions Can Change Quickly
When temperatures fluctuate above and below zero, ice strength can change from day to day or even hour to hour. Warmer daytime highs, overnight melting, rain, and wind can all contribute to unsafe conditions, even if colder weather returns later.
Residents are encouraged to monitor local weather reports and use caution when spending time near lakes and rivers over the coming days.
Looking Out for Each Other
Community safety often comes down to small choices. A reminder to a friend, keeping kids and pets at a safe distance, or choosing to turn back can make a meaningful difference. Staying off the ice during periods of warming helps reduce risk and keeps everyone safer as winter continues.
Please share this reminder so others remember, when in doubt, staying off the ice is the safest choice.
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