Great Lakes Ice

Michigan's winters are getting shorter and warmer, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. These trends can have consequences on Great Lakes ecosystems and lake levels.

The 2023 Great Lakes shipping season ended today with more iron being moved through the region and limited ice cover on lakes.

After a pretty gray holiday season, snow is finally falling in northern Michigan, but ice coverage on the Great Lakes has yet to catch up.

Shipping vessels began passing through the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie this past weekend. Historically, the ice season peaks the third week in March. So far this year, the peak for ice cover is the second week in February.

Higher temperatures and low ice cover decreases the potential for lake effect snow, which could lead to lower water levels in the spring.

If the month ended today, it would be the second warmest January in Northern Michigan in the last century. That’s why ice coverage on the Great Lakes is currently far lower than the historical average.

The Great Lakes are toying with new records this winter… this time for how little ice they have. Less than ten-percent of the great lakes are frozen over…