Ice-out was declared Thursday on Lake Minnetonka by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office and the Freshwater Society, marking the second-earliest ice-out on record for the big west metro lake. The earliest was March 11, 1878.
Last year, the lake was declared ice-free on April 5, which was earlier than the median date of April 14.
The Sheriff's Office declares an ice-out when all of the lake's channels and 37 bays can be traveled through without obstruction from ice. The declaration was made at 12:15 a.m. Thursday.
Warm weather, rain and wind all combined to create the early ice-out, the Sheriff's Office said in a news release.
With the lake ready to host boats instead of snowmobiles, the Sheriff's Office reminded lake-goers that navigation buoys have not been installed for the season.
The office also cautioned anyone expecting to be in or near the water to wear a life jacket, to tell someone where they are going and when they expect to return, and to make sure to supervise children near water.
What ice remains scattered around Lake Minnetonka will continue to melt as more rain and above-freezing temperatures make their way to the metro area, according to the National Weather Service.
Meteorologist Paul Douglas has predicted breezy weather with scattered showers and flurries over the next few days, but the sky is expected to clear by Sunday to allow for a few peeks of sunlight.
