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Lake Champlain Set to Fully Freeze for First Time Since 2019
Rapid ice expansion across the lake signals imminent complete freeze amid arctic blast.
Published on Feb. 5, 2026
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Lake Champlain is on the verge of completely freezing over for the first time since March 2019, as satellite imagery and aerial observations show the lake is now almost entirely covered in ice, with just a thin strip of open water remaining. With temperatures expected to plummet near zero and an arctic blast on the way this weekend, meteorologists say the lake will likely officially close within the next week.
Why it matters
The complete freezing of Lake Champlain has become a less common occurrence in recent years due to climate change, with the lake only fully freezing over once since 2019. This latest freeze highlights the impact of the ongoing cold snap and arctic weather patterns affecting the region.
The details
On January 24, the ice in Burlington Bay had only expanded about 10 feet offshore. But in the following two and a half weeks, the ice has enveloped nearly the entire lake, leaving just a thin strip of open water. Meteorologists say the combination of lows near zero and an incoming arctic blast this weekend will likely lead to the lake officially freezing over completely within the next week.
- On January 24, the lake ice only expanded about 10 feet offshore in Burlington Bay.
- In the past two and a half weeks, the ice has enveloped nearly the entire lake.
- Temperatures are expected to drop near zero this weekend with an arctic blast on the way.
The players
WCAX First Alert Weather Team
The weather team at WCAX, the local CBS affiliate in Burlington, Vermont, that has been closely monitoring the ice coverage on Lake Champlain.
What’s next
If the lake does officially freeze over, WCAX says they will send out a push notification through their First Alert Weather App to alert residents.
The takeaway
The imminent complete freeze of Lake Champlain highlights the ongoing impact of climate change, as the lake has only fully frozen over once since 2019 - a stark contrast to historical norms. This latest freeze underscores the power of the current arctic weather patterns affecting the region.
