The complete history of a freezing lead in the central Arctic is documented from its formation to complete freeze over during mid-spring. Observations were made as part of the intensive observational campaign, SHEBA (Surface HEat Budget of the Arctic). Measurements from a Mobile Radiometric Platform (MRP) and a fortuitously located NCAR Flux-PAM (Portable Automated Mesonet) station were obtained just downwind of a widening lead characterized by rapid ice growth. The lead grew to a width of 375 m in less than 6 hours; however, frazil ice formation and buildup along the downwind edge of the lead significantly reduced the open water fraction in the lead. Turbulent fluxes measured by the Flux-PAM station using the eddy correlation technique are used to infer eddy exchange coefficients for the freezing lead. Surface radiative properties of the freezing lead were measured with the MRP and documented via photography. The growth of frost flowers on the new ice surface plays a vital roll in determining the surface albedo and skin temperature of the thin ice in the lead. The surface energy budget of the lead is related to the sea ice growth rate and skin temperature. The horizontal extent of the lead's influence on the boundary layer is determined using data collected from a wealth of instrumentation located downwind of the open lead including a 20 m tower, cloud lidar and tether balloon soundings.