Great Lakes Ice at Historic Low

For the second consecutive year, ice cover on the Great Lakes remains significantly below average for this time of year, which typically sees the peak of ice cover at levels around 53 percent. As of February 11, total ice coverage across all lakes measured a mere 2.7 percent. Lakes Erie and Ontario are basically at—or tied with—their respective historic lows for this time of year, making both essentially ice-free. This record low ice cover is largely attributed to unusually warm temperatures throughout the region in December, paired with the generally short duration of Arctic air blasts. Credits: NOAA, NASA, CIRA Music: “Elegy of the Ice” by JC Lemay [SACEM]; Koka Media; Universal Production Music Learn more: