Metro Detroit saw below-zero wind chills this week as Arctic air moved through the region, which had an impact on the ice coverage on some areas of the Great Lakes.
In December, the North American Ice Service released its seasonal outlook for the winter and forecasted slightly below-normal ice conditions for Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Erie, and slightly above-normal temperatures for Lake Ontario.
On Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, reported that the ice coverage on the Great Lakes is currently at 20.8%.
NOAA researchers say this is just about average for this time of year.
Here’s the current ice coverage by lake:
- Lake Superior: 9.5%
- Lake Michigan: 20.3%
- Lake Huron: 26.7%
- Lake Erie: 58.2%
- Lake Ontario: 7.1%
We hope you're staying warmer than the #GreatLakes are this week! Ice cover on the lakes is currently at 20.8%, just about average for this time of year.
— NOAA Research (@NOAAResearch) January 23, 2025
Ice cover by lake:
Superior: 9.5%
Michigan: 20.3%
Huron: 26.7%
Erie: 58.2%
Ontario: 7.1%https://t.co/cgrKCmDoat pic.twitter.com/OdYXDdn5Fl
Temperatures warmed a bit on Thursday, but a cold front will bring a brief return of Arctic air on Friday. Wind chills will also drop below zero again on Friday and Saturday morning.
