The record cold spell over the last two weeks is developing a lot of ice on the Great Lakes. The view from a satellite high above Earth gives us a great perspective on the expanding ice cover.
The statistics show us the Great Lakes are now 55 percent ice covered, which is up from 42 percent just one week ago.
Great Lakes on February 1, 2026NOAA
Lake Erie still hasn’t frozen over entirely, but is now 95 percent covered with ice.
Lake Erie on February 1, 2026NOAA
Lake Huron’s ice is expanding quickly, up from 51 percent last week to now 72 percent.
Lake Huron on February 1, 2026NOAA
Lake Michigan’s shape, depth and orientation to typical winds make it somewhat slower to build ice when compared to Lake Huron. Lake Michigan is now 36 percent ice covered.
Lake Michigan on February 1, 2026NOAA
The largest Great Lake, Lake Superior shot up to 47 percent ice covered this week.
Lake Superior on February 1, 2026NOAA
Lake Ontario is usually the Great Lake with the least amount of ice. It’s that case again right now, but it still has 35 percent ice cover. This is an increase from 24 percent last week.
Lake Ontario on February 1, 2026NOAA
The ice cover is growing quickly on the Great Lakes, thanks to the bitterly cold Arctic air in the past week and especially this weekend.
Lighter winds also help the ice grow and not be destroyed.
We still have time for more ice to form. Typically the peak ice on the Great Lakes occurs in the second or third week of February.
