Light winds speed up the formation. Strong winds force water from beneath the ice and can decay the edges of the ice. Snow can insulate ice and keep it strong. It can also insulate it to keep it from freezing. When ice is covered by snow, great precautions need to be taken to determine ice thickness before starting any activity.
Snow can also hide cracked, weak and open water areas.
Slush is a danger sign. It indicates that ice is no longer freezing from the bottom and indicates weak or deteriorated ice. Ice can change with the surrounding climate conditions. Never check ice or rescue a victim of ice failure alone because you yourself could become a victim very quickly. Precautions need to be taken to assure the ice is safe for your winter recreational activities.