Meteorologist Mike Seidel reported on February 6, 2026, at approximately 8:16 AM UTC that thick ice on the Chesapeake Bay has persisted for 36 years since the last time people could walk on it, with another bitter cold weekend ahead ensuring the ice remains in place during the reporting window from 5:16 AM to 8:16 AM UTC. Seidel's update, posted on X (formerly Twitter), highlights the ongoing winter conditions under a polar vortex influence, noting no change in the ice coverage during this 3-hour period. The statement attributes the ice's stability to continued bitter cold temperatures forecasted for the weekend, preventing any thawing on the Chesapeake Bay.
