Great Lakes Gripped by Icy Conditions

Lake Erie nearly fully covered, other lakes see high ice levels as cold snap hits region

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The Great Lakes region is experiencing a sharp increase in ice coverage, with Lake Erie reaching nearly 95% ice cover and over half of Lake Superior also frozen. This marks a stark contrast from recent mild winters, as bitter cold temperatures have led to major ice accumulation across the lakes. While the freeze is not entirely unusual for this time of year, the extent of the ice cover is notable and has prompted some recreational activity on the frozen lakes.

Why it matters

The high levels of ice cover on the Great Lakes are a reflection of the region's changing climate, with milder winters becoming more common in recent years. The return to more extreme cold snaps and extensive ice formation highlights the variability and unpredictability of weather patterns, which can have significant impacts on shipping, recreation, and the overall ecosystem of the lakes.

The details

As of February 9th, around 95% of Lake Erie was covered in ice, marking the highest level in over a decade. The last time the lake was nearly completely frozen was in 1996. Ice coverage on the other Great Lakes also exceeded historical averages, with Lake Superior at 51% and Lake Huron at 67% frozen. In some areas, the ice thickness reached up to 28 inches. Experts say the rapid freeze was driven by a combination of factors, including the return of the La Niña climate pattern, which can bring colder and stormier weather to the region.

  • On February 5th, Lake Erie reached a maximum of 96% ice cover, the highest in a decade.
  • The last time Lake Erie was 100% frozen was in February 1996.
  • As of February 9th, Lake Superior was about 51% frozen, Lake Michigan 34%, Lake Huron 67%, and Lake Ontario 26%.

The players

Andrew Arnold

A meteorologist for the National Weather Service's Detroit office.

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What they’re saying

“When you get colder stretches that are well below 32 degrees, it can quickly add to the ice coverage on the lake. Usually when you get those compounding days, that's when you get pretty good conditions for (water) to ice up pretty quickly on that lake.”

— Andrew Arnold, Meteorologist (bridgemi.com)

What’s next

As temperatures begin to warm up later this week, forecasters expect the lake ice to start melting, though the full extent and duration of the thaw remains to be seen.

The takeaway

The extreme ice cover on the Great Lakes is a stark reminder of the region's variable and unpredictable weather patterns, which can shift rapidly from mild to harsh conditions. This highlights the need for continued monitoring and adaptation to the impacts of climate change on the Great Lakes ecosystem.