Although there is up to 50 centimetres of ice in places, most of it is of poor quality. Warming waters and currents are also melting the ice from below.
The Finnish Meteorological Institute warns of rapidly deteriorating sea ice. Particularly south of Vaasa, ice conditions are becoming so weak in places that you can’t even walk on the ice.
– The weather is now such that at least there is no more ice coming. On the southern side of the Kvarken, the ice is already much more advanced. The sunshine and the amount of radiation are causing the surface to become brittle.
– On 8 April, when I last measured, the snow cover had turned to coffee ice, so surprisingly there was 43-47 cm of ice. However, there is only about 20 centimetres of steel ice, and it is not very good quality either.
According to Salmela, the warming of the water also melts the ice from below.
– You also have to take into account the fact that when the water level varies, currents are created that eat even more ice. Especially in shallow areas and near rocks, Salmela states.
No more ice
Reijo Salmela is scheduled to go on Sunday 16.4. next time to measure the thickness of the ice, but as the weather continues like this, it is uncertain whether we will be able to get on the ice again.
For example, Salmela is already very cautious about taking the load to the island.
– I could do this if I have determined the ice thickness of the route in advance by drilling, without a load. The situation is changing very quickly now, Salmela points out.
Patrick Eriksson is even more reserved when it comes to going on the ice.
– At this stage, it is better to abandon the passing games. I personally wouldn’t even walk onto the ice, even though I know that there are places on the coast of Pärämere where there is still relatively much ice.
Eriksson states that the variability of the quality of the ice at this time of spring is so great that, especially if you are not equipped or do not know the area, you should not go on the ice.
Both Eriksson and Salmela agree that this speed will melt in many places already in a few weeks.
– The melting of the ice is quite regular from year to year. The arrival of spring is so inevitable. The ice on the coast has finally melted in the beginning of May. Until then, the ice will persist, says Eriksson.