Can you go outdoor skating in Delaware? Yes, but beware of frostbite

You can skate on certain outdoor ponds in Delaware this weekend, but do so with abundant caution.

Bellevue State Park announced on its Facebook page recently that its pond was open for ice skating. However, not all frozen over surfaces are good for that. Newark closed its reservoir north of the University of Delaware campus on Jan. 29 to prevent people from falling into the deep waters.

Bellevue State Park, in its announcement, said skaters need to exercise caution, especially around drainage pipes where ice might be thinner.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says ice that is 4 inches or thicker is good to walk and skate on. Ice that is 9 inches or thinker can handle a car, but it has to be this cold for weeks on end for that to be a safe option. So, put your skates on and skate carefully on approved lakes with others around.

The U.S. National Ice Center, which is a government agency tracking ice buildup, shows that the Delaware River from near the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal northward is 90-99% ice. The Delaware Bay also has significant ice buildup.

How to avoid frostbite

According to the Mayo Clinic, frostbite is an injury caused by the freezing of skin and the underlying tissue. Exposed skin is at risk of frostbite in conditions that are freezing cold and windy or wet. Frostbite also can occur on skin covered by gloves or other clothing.

It can take 10-30 minutes to experience frostbite on uncovered skin during this period of dangerous wind chills. Dress warmly, and if possible, stay inside. A warm-up to average winter temperatures is forecasted throughout Delaware later this week.