Authorities are issuing thin-ice warnings for area lakes as spring approaches and the weather dramatically warms up.

Both the state Department of Natural Resources and the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office issued warnings Thursday, urging people to stay off melting ice.

Area lakes and rivers are seeing weakened ice near shorelines that can create hazardous conditions. Four inches of ice is the recommended minimum thickness for walking on ice.

For more information and tips, go to dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice.

STAFF REPORT