Ice cover on the Great Lakes is slightly down for this time of year, but snowfall and temperatures averaged out for the month of December.
Just under 2% of the Great Lakes currently have ice coverage. This is down from an 8% historical average for this time of year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Great Lakes ice update for December 29, 2024: Combined 2% | Lake Superior 1% | Lake Michigan 2% | Lake Huron 4% | Lake Erie 0.1% | Lake Ontario 2% | #GreatLakes pic.twitter.com/P40FTwX2v5
— Great Lakes Ice Tracker (@glicetracker) December 29, 2024
Meteoroligst Joe Delizio, with the National Weather Service in Gaylord, said the month of December was pretty average for snowfall and temperatures across the "snowbelt region," which hugs Lake Michigan and the Mackinac Straits area.
"We're getting some colder air in here as early as the middle and latter portions of this upcoming week and probably lasting the first two weeks of January, just based on the long-range patterns," he said.
Delizio said the forecasted cool down at the start of the New Year could spur more ice formation.
"We're going to be approaching a more active period here once again," he said. "Certainly stay tuned to the forecast and make sure you take precautions while traveling."
Great Lakes ice cover typically picks up in January and reaches its maximum in late February and early March.
