What happens to the rinks when temperatures warm up?

When temperatures warm, understandably the warm temps soften or melt the ice.  If the ice is thicker (a foot or more) then the damage may not be as severe.  Thinner ice can melt back down to the turf or may not allow snow removal equipment on it.  We may have to start over completely.  How warm it gets and for how long are huge factors.  It stands to reason that warm temps (40+) for nights and days greatly affect the ice. Temps just above freezing will not affect the ice as much.  Soft ice is not safe or fun to skate on.  Soft ice may allow skates to fall through and potentially hurt the ice and/or the skater.

Show All Answers

1. What is the rink flooding process? When do you decide to start flooding?
2. What happens to the rinks when temperatures warm up?
3. What happens to the rinks when it rains?
4. What happens to the rinks when it snows?
5. How do you prioritize which rinks to flood?
6. How long does a rink last? How long is the season?
7. What is stinky ice?
8. How does sun affect the rinks?
9. How do you decide if a rink is open or closed? How can we see if rinks are open?