This morning was the coldest so far this season for a good part of Oklahoma. Temperatures were below freezing across much of the state, with many areas down into the 20s.Even though it is so cold at night, we still have a long way to go before we start to see ice forming on Oklahoma lakes.

Before ice forms on a pond or lake, the entire body of water must cool to 39 degrees. Water is such a unique liquid. Like most liquids, the density of water changes with temperature. What makes water unique is that it is at it's most dense point when it is at 39 degrees. At temperatures above 39, warmer water rises to the top. When wading in a lake in the summer, the warmest water will be at the surface, and it will be cooler down at your toes.

In the winter, when a lake cools, the colder water will sink to the bottom of the lake. However, when the lake cools to 39 degrees, the colder water starts to float to the top. Water at 34 degrees is less dense than water at 39 degrees. Another quality unique to water it that when liquid turns to solid, the solid is less dense than the liquid. This is what allows ice to float on top of water.

Right now, Oklahoma lakes are running between 50 and 65 degrees. Even as it gets below freezing at night, it is going to be a while before the lakes freeze over.