Relatively warm weather and even rain causes headaches for outdoor event planners [Video]

Metro area lakes — and the people who use them — are in a slushy situation.

“We’ve got a few contingency plans in place, but hopefully, not have to use them,” says Mia Spier, an event coordinator with the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships.

“There’s definitely some areas where the snow has compressed the lake and the water is kind of coming through some areas,” adds Abby Delaney, the sponsorship director with the Loppet Foundation.

This January — many lakes have less of that icy sheen — and more slush.

“It started back in December where we had a good ice layer,” explains KSTP meteorologist Matt Serwe. “But then, in the middle of December, we got about a half-inch of rain before the blizzard came in.”

He says area lakes now have a base layer of ice, covered with snow that acts like an insulator.

“When you start digging away to …