Lake Winnipesaukee Sees Earliest “Ice Out” Declaration in History
Another mild winter record has been broken in 2024. Lake Winnipesaukee had it’s earliest “ice out” declared in the 150 years it’s been kept track of. An “ice out” at Lake Winnipesaukee is the first date that the vessel Mt. Washington can navigate to the Wolfeboro, Meredith, Weirs Beach, Alton Bay and Center Harbor ports completely free of ice. That happened for the first time this year this past Sunday at 4:37pm.
The previous record for earliest ice out declaration was March 19, 2016. Until this year that was the record. Second earliest ice out at the big lake was in 2012, the third earliest was two years earlier in 2010, and the fourth earliest ice out call was made waaaaayyyyy back in 1921. That is now the fifth earliest ice out in history, as 2024 moves to the top of the list.
It was actually feared and predicted by some that there wouldn’t even be an ice IN at Lake Winnipesaukee this year, as the deepest and widest part of the lake looked like it might not freeze over at all this year. It eventually did.
Ice outs at Lake Winnipesaukee have been being recorded since 1888. However, the 5 earliest ice outs have all happened since the year 2000. The trend of earlier ice outs can be attributed to global warming.
People love swimming in Lake Winnipesaukee and boating and fishing… but… one thing you can’t legally do in Lake Winnipesaukee is SKINNY DIP! (Or can you??) There are some great spots in New Hampshire for taking a little nudie dip! Massachusetts and Rhode Island, we have some great spots for you too. How we got from Lake Winnipesaukee freezing over and thawing to skinny dipping I’m not entirely sure – but – here you go! Stand by for 17 of the Best Spots for Skinny Dipping in Mass, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire (with a possible appearance by the recently “iced out” lake):
17 Best Spots for Skinny-Dipping in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire
