Lake Michigan freezes for the first time this winter
Posted:
Updated:
By Bill Bellis, FOX 32 News Chief Meteorologist - bio | email
“Frozen Belmont Harbor taken early afternoon 1/22/13.” Photo courtesy of johnpg0515.
“Frozen Belmont Harbor taken early afternoon 1/22/13.” Photo courtesy of johnpg0515.
“This is ice frozen over a rock on the Lake Michigan shoreline at Belmont taken early afternoon 1/22/13. The waves crashing over the rock repeatedly led to the ice freezing on it in this pattern.” Photo courtesy of johnpg0515.
“If it isn’t going to snow this year, I'm just going to make it. That is my ice rink in the back and 80 Christmas trees I rescued from the garbage.” Photo courtesy of an anonymous FOX 32 viewer.
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
For the first time this winter, parts of Lake Michigan is frozen, especially close to the lakefront and in the harbors. This happened only a couple of times ALL of last winter, and it's already Jan. 23.
Temperatures plummeted from the upper 40s to the lower teens by Sunday. In fact, the average high temperature so far this week is 13 degrees with an average low of 2.
So it's been cold enough for parts of the lake to freeze, but do not venture out there because the ice is definitely not thick enough. We would need a good week of temperatures like this for it to be safe enough to walk or play on.
Much of the Great Lakes are still too warm to freeze. According to NOAA, 2002 saw the least amount of ice coverage on record. Last year‘s ice coverage was very close to 2002 and 2013 is looking very similar as well.
Check out this NOAA image, which shows near historic low ice coverage.
Of course the other big story is the lack of snow this season. As of Wednesday, O'Hare has received only 1.3 " of snow and according to the National Weather Service, Chicago has never gone into February with less than 3.6" of snow. The winter season of 1943-44 produced only 3.6" of snow through January 31st. The 1943-44 winter season total still ended up with 24.0" of snow, but is only 63% of our normal seasonal snowfall.
The weather will remain chilly through Saturday with periods of light snow and light accumulations, but 40 degree temperatures and rain are in the forecast for the early part of next week.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:03 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:03:10 GMT
The Chicago Board of Education made its final decision Wednesday afternoon - to close 48 Chicago Public Schools in June, with one school delayed a year and to save five others.
The Chicago Board of Education made its final decision Wednesday afternoon - to close 48 Chicago Public Schools in June, with one school delayed a year and to save five others.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:45:07 GMT
Illinois public schools that teach sex education will have to include information about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases instead of a curriculum focused on abstinence.
Illinois public schools that teach sex education will have to include information about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases instead of a curriculum focused on abstinence.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:50:46 GMT
The attorney for an 87-year-old woman who accuses Donald Trump of cheating her in a skyscraper condo deal told Chicago jurors on Wednesday that the "Apprentice" star lied on the witness stand.
Jurors have withdrawn to begin deliberations about whether Donald Trump cheated an 87-year-old who claims the "Apprentice" star cheated her in property deal.
“Frozen Belmont Harbor taken early afternoon 1/22/13.” Photo courtesy of johnpg0515.
“Frozen Belmont Harbor taken early afternoon 1/22/13.” Photo courtesy of johnpg0515.
“This is ice frozen over a rock on the Lake Michigan shoreline at Belmont taken early afternoon 1/22/13. The waves crashing over the rock repeatedly led to the ice freezing on it in this pattern.” Photo courtesy of johnpg0515.
“If it isn’t going to snow this year, I'm just going to make it. That is my ice rink in the back and 80 Christmas trees I rescued from the garbage.” Photo courtesy of an anonymous FOX 32 viewer.
