Gusty winds and warming temperatures have contributed to some moving and melting of the ice on Lake Erie.

CLEVELAND — Ice on Lake Erie is getting a shake-up again. After freezing up very quickly through January, ice coverage peaked so far at just over 95%. Gusty winds Friday into Saturday helped break up some of the ice and even contributed to a big crack in the ice! 


Credit: #3weather

Ice Cracks

We can see multiple cracks on the visible imagery of Lake Erie from Tuesday. Some of these cracks extend over 100 miles between the southern shores of Canada and northern Ohio. 


Credit: #3weather

100 Miles of cracks

On top of those cracks, temperatures warmed into the 40s and low 50s for Tuesday. That kick started a lot of melting. 


Credit: #3weather

Tuesday Afternoon Temps

Ice is still pretty locked in near the Ohio shoreline and especially for the western areas of the lake, but that can change very quickly as temperatures warm. In addition to warmer temperatures, winds will shift from south to northwest Tuesday into Wednesday. That will keep trying to push the ice around.


Credit: #3weather

Ice for now at Marblehead

Even as temperatures drop below freezing again for Wednesday and Thursday, no ice is ever safe ice! It’s still not a good idea to venture out and away from the shore.