Cold weather causing rapid expansion of Lake Michigan ice

While it feels like temperatures have only decreased the last week across Michiana, one thing has actually increased: ice cover on Lake Michigan.

Just two weeks ago, barely 5% of the lake was frozen. Thanks to the frigid conditions, that number has quadrupled, with the current ice concentration of Lake Michigan now above 20%.

Managed to get some video of the frozen tundra that is Lake Michigan at Porter Beach. More than a 50% increase in ice cover just over the past week alone! #miwx @NWSIWX @TomCoomes pic.twitter.com/qfWgPFIoyC

— Dave Caulfield (@DaveCaulfield_) February 9, 2021

Normally, lake ice would be nearing 25% at this point in the winter. However, given forecast temperatures for the next week, we could approach our average Lake Michigan ice level quickly.