Great Lakes Ice Coverage Hits Historic Low

Unusually mild winter temperatures and climate change contribute to the lowest ice levels since 1973.

Great Lakes ice coverage has reached a historic low, with overall coverage at 2.7% as of February 11, 2024, marking the lowest levels since records began in 1973.
Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes, is experiencing the most rapid decline in ice cover, attributed largely to climate change and is one of the fastest-warming lakes on Earth.
The lack of ice is due to unusually mild temperatures this winter, exacerbated by a strong El Niño event, with climate change also playing a significant role.
The severe reduction in ice coverage impacts local economies reliant on winter activities such as ice fishing and outdoor sports, and poses risks to the lakes' ecosystems and shoreline infrastructure.
Experts warn that the trend of declining ice coverage is likely to continue, with forecasts predicting higher-than-normal temperatures and lower-than-normal precipitation in the Great Lakes region through April.