It is difficult to make a definitive statement about whether winter ice on lakes, rivers, and ponds will become a thing of the past due to climate change. While it is true that rising global temperatures are causing changes in weather patterns and affecting ice formation in some regions, the specific impacts on winter ice can vary depending on the location and local conditions.

In some areas, such as Northern Europe and parts of North America, there has been a decrease in the duration and thickness of lake and river ice due to warmer winters. Studies have shown that ice cover on lakes in these regions has decreased by several weeks in recent decades, and the ice is also thinner than before. This has implications for ecosystems, recreational activities, and transportation.

However, it is important to note that not all regions are experiencing the same level of ice loss. In certain parts of the world, such as Antarctica, the Arctic, and high-altitude regions, the ice cover may be less affected or even increasing due to complex atmospheric interactions and regional variations in climate patterns.

Overall, while climate change poses challenges to the formation and persistence of winter ice in some areas, it is difficult to say with certainty that winter ice will completely disappear. The impacts of climate change on ice cover can be complex, and they depend on a combination of factors such as regional temperature trends, precipitation patterns, changes in snowfall, and the specific characteristics of the water bodies themselves.