LACONIA — Ice-out was declared Thursday evening on Lake Winnipesaukee after an overflight showed that the MS Mount Washington cruise ship has clear water to make it to its five ports: Weirs Beach, Wolfeboro, Meredith, Alton Bay and Center Harbor.
Dave Emerson, president of Emerson Aviation, makes the yearly declaration, and also calls "ice-in," which occurred this year on Jan. 4, one of the earliest freezes in years.
He said his initial flight Thursday still showed some icy patches that could hinder the ship, but an evening flight showed clear water. He declared ice-out at 5:40 p.m.
Winds throughout the day had the effect of breaking up ice.
This week is the most common time for ice-out to be declared.
It could have been declared earlier this year, except there were still some icy areas on the north side of Rattlesnake Island, in the Broads, in Weirs Bay and in Meredith Bay.
Recent rains speeded the melt.
The latest ice-out ever declared was May 12, which occurred in 1888, Emerson said.
The earliest ice-out was March 19, 2016.
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