Photo: Kevin Johnson/WDIO-TV Created: February 16, 2021 03:33 PM
Ice coverage on Lake Superior has quickly increased amid the long stretch of subzero nighttime temperatures.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimated the lake to be 34% ice-covered as of Tuesday, up from just 7% coverage on Feb. 8. The NOAA Great Lakes Coastal Forecasting System is predicting 43% ice coverage by the end of the week.
Ice has formed along the shore around much of the lake and is thickest in the Thunder Bay area. However, the rescue of 26 fishermen on Feb. 9 in Duluth provided a reminder that ice conditions can change rapidly.
The lake had experienced historically low percentages of ice cover in January. With high water levels continuing, the International Lake Superior Board of Control had warned of a continued risk of erosion at the beginning of February.
See stunning blue ice here to stay through cold snap
Updated Feb 11, 2021;
Posted Feb 11, 2021
Giant shards of stunning blue ice build up in the Straits of Mackinac during February 2021.Kim Mettler | Michigan Barefoot Memories Photography
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MACKINAW CITY, MI – The current cold snap – with the coldest air of the season is moving in this weekend – has created perfect conditions for the formation of stunning blue ice in the Straits of Mackinac.
The giant shards of light blue ice buildup on top of each other, creating structures that would delight even Queen Elsa of Disney’s “Frozen” franchise. This marvel first lit up social media in 2016; since then, we’ve been on the lookout for its appearance.