Bill Haberman, WPRO News
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is urging people to avoid skating on the state's lakes and ponds as a cold snap continues into the weekend.
"The winds have been playing a big factor, said John Faltus, Deputy Superintendant of DEM's Parks. He told WPRO the ice thickness at the ponds monitored by the DEM remains below the recommended 6 inches of thickness.
The state urged skaters to drill through the ice in several locations before lacing up their skates and skating outside.
"Do not assume the ice is safe on any body of water just by its outward appearance," Faltus told WPRO.
He said the more fickle weather over the last few years has limited outdoor skating in Rhode Island.
