Ice thickness measurement on the coast of Vaasa

On January 8, 2024, the initial sea ice measurements were undertaken following an intense two-week cold spell, with temperatures plummeting to -30 degrees Celsius. Utilizing a hydrocopter, Sem Timmerbacka and Anders Ahlbäck ventured onto the ice, focusing on a predetermined route extending from the shoreline toward the Windmill area. The strategy involved commencing measurements in close proximity to the coastline, progressing with approximately 1 kilometer intervals along the designated line until reaching open water. Notably, the areas near the coastline had sustained ice cover for an extended duration, whereas those nearer to the Windmill area had only recently frozen over in the days leading up to the measurement expedition. The well-established ice near the coastline measured approximately 30 cm in thickness. As the measurements extended further along the designated line, new ice formations became apparent, exhibiting thicknesses nearly comparable to the pre-existing ice near the coastline. North of Harvungön, an area that had experienced open water a few days prior to the expedition, now featured a veneer of freshly formed thin ice measuring approximately 6-7 cm. Unfortunately, this newly formed ice lacked the strength required to support the hydrocopter, preventing the expedition to go further, and awaited more robust ice conditions before proceeding with the planed measurements.