Frozen loughs

[goodall]

Half of the county I live in is a lough, and over last few days it has froze over to the extend that tossing decent stones on it wont break through. However I'm starting to think how long and cold does need be before can walk or skate on it and more importantly drive
As some the older generations about here tell stories people driving across it in the 40's

http://www.knowledgerush.com/wiki_image/8/85/Www.wesleyjohnston.com-users-ireland-maps-counties-fermanagh.gif

as can see from that map its fairly big

[fish]

to drive on ice i would want at least a foot thick ice, i know it will hold the weight of the car at 3 inches, but to be safe i would say a foot. we never go out on the lakes over here with our cars when it,s less than 30cm thick and none of us have gone through yet. to walk/skate i would probobly want at least 10cm (about 4 inches) to be on the safe side..

[goodall]

be an other few weeks then, however its meant stay cold for month more still