Lake Erie is nearly completely covered in ice, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). More than 90 percent of the iconic lake is frozen, spiking up from about 60 percent ice coverage at the beginning of February.
Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
It’s not unusual for Erie to be almost completely covered in ice, NOAA data shows, but this year’s ice is a huge jump from previous years. At this time in 2017, ice only covered 38 percent of the lake. The year before that only 1 percent was covered.
Lake Erie ice cover is at 93 percent!
What a BIG difference from just about a week ago!! @WGRZ pic.twitter.com/VP3v33rg7s— Jennifer Stanonis (@JenStanonis) February 8, 2018
Lake Erie was close to freezing over in early January when a polar vortex brought freezing Arctic air down to the eastern U.S., sending energy prices through the roof in some parts of the country. But warmer air returned and reduced ice cover — until now.
Lake Erie is the most shallow of the Great Lakes, making it the most likely to freeze over in winter when cold Arctic comes. Lake Erie freezing also reduces lake effect snowfall. That’s good news for Americans and Canadians living along the lake, some of whom got buried in more than 4 feet of snow in late December.
In total, just over half the Great Lake’s water surface is covered in ice, according to NOAA. Lake Superior is more than 50 percent covered in ice and Lake Michigan’s ice cover is about 40 percent.
Ice covers about 65 percent of Lake Huron, but less than 20 percent of Lake Ontario. Total Great Lakes ice coverage is in line with the long-term average of 55 percent, according to NOAA.
Here’s a link to MODIS satellite images of ice conditions on Lake Erie.
Follow Michael on Facebook and Twitter
The Daily Caller News Foundation is working hard to balance out the biased American media. For as little as $3, you can help us. Make a one-time donation to support the quality, independent journalism of TheDCNF. We’re not dependent on commercial or political support and we do not accept any government funding.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.