Jan-Erik has recently added forecasts for selected lakes in Canada and USA. Here is a bit of background from correspondence from Jan-Erik:

Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2011
From: janerikgus
To: VTNordicSkating@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [VT Nordic Skating] Ice forecasts

For some years I have been providing ice forecasts in graphical form on the Internet for north western Europe. Now I have extended this to the Vermont and Lake Champlain skating area:
http://hem.bredband.net/iceforecast/US/

The graphs try to predict ice growth but not ice formation. Some weather parameters like snow and wind are also presented. The purpose is to give an early indication if it will be possible to skate in a given area. Today the graphs predict that skating will be possible in the beginning of next week on small shallow ponds. On Wednesday there will be snow on the ice. Take a look at the graphs and let me know what you think of them!

Jan-Erik Gustafsson, Täby, Sweden

Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2011
From: janerikgus
To: VTNordicSkating@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [VT Nordic Skating] Re: Ice forecasts

The model is based on heat and mass transfer theory and ice physics. I feed the ice growth model with global model data from NOAA. There are no coefficients other than those provided by the ice physics and the heat and mass transfer theory.

It would be very interesting to see if the predictions can be verified. This has been done here in Sweden for new ice without snow. To verify the growth model you would have to measure the ice thickness in the same place on two occasions. The measured ice growth could then be compared with the calculated.

I would also like to extend the forecasts further to other places in the US and Canada. Which places would be appropriate? They should be some 30 miles apart and there should be some nordic skating activities.

Jan-Erik

Date: Sun, 18 Dec 2011
From: Jan-Erik Gustafsson
To: David Dermott
Subject: SV: [VT Nordic Skating] Re: Ice forecasts

Hej David,  
I think it is best to make a special version of the ice forecasts for Canada. I will start with the places you suggested. There is always a problem with places close to the sea. We have the same problem here with the Baltic when it is ice free. The NOAA model uses all kinds of weather information: data from weather stations, ships, satellites ... The data I use are from the global model which has a grid spacing of 0.5 degrees so places closer than about 50 km will get almost the same forecasts.

Jan-Erik Gustafsson Täby, Sweden

Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2012
From: Jan-Erik Gustafsson
To: David Dermott
Subject: Ice forecasts

David,
Now I have added two forecasts for Canada: Halifax and Bridgewater (see http://hem.bredband.net/iceforecast/CA/ ).

It turns out that the forecasts are almost the same. Maybe the places are too close.

Jan-Erik