GLERL

Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

Great Lakes ice cover varies dramatically year to year. GLERL ice research informs shoulder season shipping as well as ice breaking operations in the Great Lakes. Photo Credit: NOAA GLERL

Ice Cover

Understanding the causes of fluctuations in the extent and duration of ice cover on the Great Lakes is crucial to the regional economy. The amount of ice cover, as well as how long it remains on the lakes, varies greatly from year to year and can have both positive and negative impacts on a range of water dependent industries—from hydropower, to the fishing industry, to commercial shipping. NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) explores the relationships between ice cover, lake temperatures, and regional climate through models based on observations of variables, such as ice cover and surface water temperature. Studying, monitoring, and predicting ice coverage on the Great Lakes enhances the ability to predict lake water levels, water movement patterns, water temperature structure, and spring plankton blooms—important for navigation, weather forecasting, fisheries management, adapting to lake level changes, and recreational safety and rescue efforts.

For additional information, please contact: NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory Information Services [email protected] 734-741-2210 www.glerl.noaa.gov

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NOAA GLERL research improves ice forecasting capability through: Observing current ice cover conditions The NOAA Coastwatch program aims to provide easy public access to global and regional satellite data products for use in understanding, managing, and protecting coastal resources. As the Great Lakes regional hub of the national NOAA Coastwatch program, NOAA GLERL obtains, produces, and delivers environmental data and products for near real-time observation of the Great Lakes. In addition, NOAA GLERL produces a daily map of synthesized observations of the Great Lakes surface water temperature and ice cover, known as the Great Lakes Surface Environmental Analysis (GLSEA). These products support water dependent industries such as hydropower, fishing, commercial shipping, and search and rescue operations. For more, visit NOAA GLERL’s Current Ice Cover Conditions webpage at www.glerl.noaa.gov/data/ ice/#currentConditions. Analyzing and hosting historical ice cover data NOAA GLERL monitors and documents Great Lakes ice cover. The NOAA Great Lakes Ice Atlas­(1973-2002) provides information about ice cover variation on the Great Lakes during the last quarter of the 20th century and early years of the 21st Century. The Recent Great Lakes Ice Cover Data (2003-2016) webpage extends that time series with annual updates. This historical data is critical to predictive modeling efforts and establishes a foundation for understanding the influence of ice on the regional economy and environment. For more, visit NOAA GLERL’s Historical Ice Cover webpage at www.glerl.noaa.gov/data/ice/#historical. Modeling and forecasting NOAA GLERL conducts research on ice cover forecasting on two different time scales: short-term (1-5 days) and seasonal (6-month). Short-term ice forecasting is part of the Great Lakes Coastal Forecasting System (GLCFS)— an experimental model used by the National Weather Service (NWS) to predict wind, waves, currents, and more. NOAA GLERL’s experimental seasonal ice cover forecast uses statistical and physical models to predict ice growth in response to forecast weather conditions. NOAA GLERL models and forecasts are important to a variety of stakeholders, such as emergency responders, shipping industries, and fishermen. For more, visit NOAA GLERL’s Ice Cover Forecasting webpage at www.glerl.noaa.gov/data/ice/#forecast.

Great Lakes Annual Maximum Ice Coverage 1973-2016

100

94.7 (1979)

89 (1994)

Long-term average (55%)

80

92.5 (2014)

88.8 (2015)

80.2 (2003)

70 60 50 40

38.4 (2013)

30 20 AN

MO SPH D AT ER

I O NA L O C

NI ST

14.3 (1998)

N AT

R AT IO N

EP

E

R

S.

CE

U.

D

0

IC MI

EA

IC

AD

10

33.8 (2016)

25.5 (1983) N

Percent Coverage

90

AR

TM E

O N T OF C

MM

1975

1980

1985

1990

1995

12.9 (2012)

11.9 (2002)

2000

2005

2010

2015

The data in the graph above originates from the U.S. National Ice Center (1989 - present) and Canadian Ice Service (1973-1988).

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory 4840 S. State Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48108 www.glerl.noaa.gov

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