One of the most impressive time lapses I've seen in a long time. This is from WGN-TV Hancock camera earlier this week (February 21). Look how quickly the ice opens up over Lake Michigan as the winds shift and the temperatures rise. If this doesn't cause you to rethink walking on the ice I don't know what will.
Cracks in the ice are VERY common especially this time of year. Fluctuations in air temperature, wind direction and intensity drive the shifting ice making it more unstable.
Ice coverage across the Great Lakes have reached their peak and are now falling.
LAKE SUPERIOR: 51% on Feb 19th
LAKE MICHIGAN: 335 on Feb 18th
LAKE ERIE: 86% on Feb 20th
LAKE ONTARIO: 21% on Feb 18th
The ice movement forecast through early next week.
Lake Erie, the shallowest of the lakes is showing significant ice breakup.
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| FEBRUARY 17 |
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| FEBRUARY 19 |
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| FEBRUARY 21 |
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| ANIMATION OF THE ABOVE IMAGES |
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| FEBRUARY 23 |
The ice movement forecast through early next week.
Compare this year to the last 2 years:
I checked the years since 2000 that had at least 50% ice coverage on March 1st. The average date where we drop to under 25% ice cover is during the last week of March. This is directly connected to the air temperatures. Based on the long range outlook through the first 7-10 days of March, the ice loss should be gradual.
