A warm start to the winter season has left the Great Lakes virtually ice-free and with their lowest ice cover to kick off a new year in at least 50 years.
A warm meteorological fall and start to winter has agencies from Canada to the northern tier of the U.S. warning of ice that might be thinner than what is typical. At least four inches of ice is needed to support a human’s weight sufficiently, and at least eight inches is recommended before attempting to drive a small-sized vehicle on it.