For those living near Lake Michigan, it’s a question that crosses their minds every time the weather cools: is there ice on Lake Michigan? The answer may surprise you. While some parts of the lake do freeze, most of the lake remains thawed throughout winter.
It’s true that temperatures across the lake can drop to nearly freezing levels. While most of the lakes and rivers in the Great Lakes region have below-freezing temperatures for extended periods during winter, Lake Michigan is protected from Arctic temperatures by a combination of wind, waves and offshore ocean currents.
That said, Lake Michigan is not completely immune to winter’s chill. Portions of the lake, like those close to shores, can freeze over. The lake ice edge can extend to more than 20 miles offshore in the northern sections, as it did in January 2019 when a series of cold snaps made the lake’s waters around the Door Peninsula freeze over.
Local residents remember that winter of 2019 fondly. Here in Milwaukee, ice-skaters would park on the shoreline of Lake Michigan and take the ice out in a mile-long loop. This became a popular pastime, creating a winter wonderland that at times rivaled the Mackinac Bridge.
Officials from the National Weather Service caution against this due to variations in the lake’s ice thickness. Currents and waves make it impossible to predict the depth of the ice, and there have been instances of smaller vessels getting trapped in the icy waters.
Clues Around the Shoreline
So what can we do to predict if the waters of Lake Michigan will freeze over? Fortunately, there are warning signs that we can look for.
One key indicator is the behaviour of the sea gulls. When these birds don’t see any open water and fly away, it’s a sure sign the freeze is taking hold. Also there will be a thin white layer on top of the water, which is a sign of ice crystals forming.
At night, shoreline streets can provide clues. We can usually tell if Lake Michigan has frozen over from steam rising from near-shore areas. This steam is due to heat generated by the colder offshore water rising up and melting the thin surface ice.
The Perils of Lake Michigan Ice
Since there is no real way to predict the thickness of the ice on Lake Michigan, there are a few safety precautions we can take.
The most important rule when it comes to lake ice is to stay off. Even if the lake looks completely frozen, the ice can still be slick and slippery, making it nearly impossible to maintain your footing.
People should also be careful of thin ice that has already formed on the lake. This ice is much more dangerous than thick ice, as it was easily break on impact. Thin ice should be avoided, as it can lead to disastrous outcomes for those living near the lake.
It’s also important to be aware of air temperature as well. When combined with lake current activity, even if temperatures drop, the waters of the lake are unlikely to freeze over.
Freezing and thawing patterns in different locations
The most noticeable difference between northern, central and southern parts of the lake is in the amount of time that the lakes freeze over and the degree to which the lakes thaw in the spring and summer months.
The waters of Lake Michigan freeze over later in the year in northern areas such as Hog Island, while the waters of southern areas such as Racine freeze several weeks earlier. Likewise, the central portions of the lake such as Milwaukee rarely freeze over during the winter months.
Moreover, when the waters thaw in the spring, northern portions tend to thaw earlier than southern parts. This is due to the influence of offshore ocean currents, which can delay the freeze-over of northern portions in the winter and the thaw in the spring and summer.
Freak Phenomenons: Superheated Lakes
A strange and rare phenomenon has been reported on some frozen lakes accompanying lake ice: superheated lake waters. This phenomenon occurs on lake ice during periods of protracted bitter cold weather when the lake is otherwise frozen solid.
During these instances, a layer of warm air can be seen above the lake ice. This layer of air will act as an insulator, trapping the heat and causing the lake ice to be abnormally warm. This warm air creates a disruption in the lake’s air-ice interface, and the underlying lake waters can become extremely warm.
These superheated lakes can greatly accelerate the melting of the lake’s ice, and consequently, can cause more open water sections to develop in otherwise ice-bound lakes. It is important to take this into account when attempting to predict if and when the lake may freeze over.
The effects of Climate change on Lake Michigan Ice
The effects of climate change can be felt all around the globe, and Lake Michigan is no different. The warming effect of climate change measured in the past few decades can be seen in the body of water’s overall temperature rise. Over the years, this rise in temperature has caused the lake to freeze over less and less.
Researchers predict that the lake has up to a 30% less chance of completely freezing over by 2045. This is mainly due to an increase in the average temperature of the lake’s surface waters, which makes it harder for the lake to reach temperatures cold enough to freeze.
As temperatures continue to rise, it is important to take steps to limit climate change by reducing our carbon emissions. This is the only way we can make sure Lake Michigan stays ice free for many more years to come.
Factors that affect Lake Michigan Ice
It’s important to remember that there are numerous factors that can affect Lake Michigan’s ability to freeze over. Air temperatures, lake current activity and offshore ocean currents can all play a role in determining the ice coverage on the lake.
Furthermore, wave action can also play a role in preventing the lake from freezing by breaking up the thin ice layer that normally forms on the lake’s surface. This can cause larger open water pockets, allowing the heat to escape and the lake to remain thawed.
Winds coming off the lake can also affect the lake’s air temperature. If the wind is strong enough, this can create a wind chill, making the lake’s air temperature colder than the surrounding area. This can in turn make the lake take longer to freeze over.
Prevention and Accountability
The effects of climate change can be felt around the world and Lake Michigan is no different. It is important to take steps to limit climate change by reducing our carbon emissions. This is the only way to ensure that Lake Michigan stays ice free for many more years to come.
Local organizations are doing their part to keep Lake Michigan free of ice. The Great Lakes Coastal Advisory Network (GLCAN) works to empower citizens to take action and reduce the impacts of climate change on the Great Lakes. They believe that personal action can prevent the lake from freezing over, if sufficient awareness and changes are made throughout Michigan.
Likewise, the Alliance for the Great Lakes has been working to protect and restore the delicate balance of Lake Michigan’s ecosystems since its founding in 1973. Their efforts aim to reduce the impact of climate change on the lake, so that it remains as pristine and healthy as possible.
Conclusion
Is there ice on Lake Michigan? It is a question that many people living in the area ask and there can be no definitive answer. In some cases, Lake Michigan can and does freeze over, though it is becoming increasingly less common due to climate change and other factors.
Nevertheless, with the help of local organizations and efforts to reduce our carbon footprint, we can all do our part to ensure Lake Michigan remains ice free for many more winters to come.
