The City of Nanaimo is warning the public not to risk skating on thin ice.
The warning, issued Wednesday, said the city considers ice on all lakes, ponds and water sources in Nanaimo currently unsafe.
According to a city press release, ice needs to be a minimum of 15 centimetres thick to support humans safely, which requires at least seven days of –7 C temperatures. Local climactic factors, such as wind, snow, rain and temperature fluctuations also considerably influence ice formation and temperatures have been too warm to create safe ice in Nanaimo.
To ensure ice safety, never assume ice is safe, never skate on an untested lake or pond, never cross ice for a shortcut and never go out onto ice after an animal or toy.
Thin ice warning signs have been posted at all lakes in Nanaimo.
For more information, please contact Nanaimo Parks and Recreation at 250-756-5200.