Great Lakes Ice Cover Nearing Statistical Peak

news image
Special Stories
12 Feb 2018 4:45 PM
Thanks to a recent cold snap in the Midwest, ice cover on the Great Lakes has rapidly expanded.  As of February 12th, ice coverage has nearly doubled in the last week to 69.1%.  This is the highest coverage so far this winter and it's nearly right on schedule.  Maximum ice cover on the lower lakes (Lake Erie and Lake Ontario) normally occurs between the middle and end of February.  Maximum ice cover on the upper lakes (Lake Superior, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan) normally occurs between the end of February and early March.  Every year is different, however.  For example, at the same time last year, the surface of the Great Lakes had just 12.7% ice cover. Looking at each Great Lake individually, there is some disparity based on depth and location.  Lake Erie---the shallowest lake---usually freezes over the quickest.  This is currently the case with 92% ice coverage. Thanks to a greater average depth, Lake Ontario's ice cover is just 14% while Lake Michigan's is 49%. Due to the brutally cold air that frequently invaded the far northern United States, Lake Superior's ice cover reached 77% and Lake Huron's reached 81%. Temperatures will be on the rise in the Midwest and Northeast throughout the middle of the week.  This will likely impact ice cover on all of the Great Lakes in the days to come. -Meteorologist Joe Astolfi
All Weather News
More
Severe Storms For the East Coast Through Tuesday

Severe Storms For the East Coast Through Tuesday

A cold front moving through a moist airmass h

2 Jul 2025 1:00 AM
Rounds Of Severe For Plains

Rounds Of Severe For Plains

A shortwave trough will move across the plain

2 Jul 2025 12:59 AM
Flossie Reaches Category 2 Strength

Flossie Reaches Category 2 Strength

EASTERN PACIFICThe National Hurricane Center

1 Jul 2025 11:20 PM
Western Heat Continues With Some Relief

Western Heat Continues With Some Relief

A large dome of hot high pressure remains acr

1 Jul 2025 11:00 PM
NHC Monitoring Front in the Southeast Ahead of 4th of July

NHC Monitoring Front in the Southeast Ahead of 4th of July

SOUTHEAST - A frontal boundary moving through

1 Jul 2025 10:35 PM
Where Rain Could Dampen Holiday Travel Plans

Where Rain Could Dampen Holiday Travel Plans

AAA is expecting over 70 million travelers to

1 Jul 2025 4:35 PM
Severe Weather Threat Continues in the Midwest

Severe Weather Threat Continues in the Midwest

It has been an active, severe season across t

30 Jun 2025 9:00 PM