I recently braved winds upwards of 25 miles per hour, creating a daunting wind chill of 4 degrees Fahrenheit below 0. Where was I? The Headlands and Fairport Beach. Why? Lake Erie is frozen!
For the first time in three years, Lake Erie has ice coverage above 90%. Despite the harsh conditions and pleas from my parents to go on another “warmer day,” I had to check out the sight, especially given its relatively rare occurrence, an event that may become even slimmer as our Earth continues to warm due to climate change.
Combined, the Great Lakes have a total ice cover of 30.1%, but Lake Erie outpaces its counterparts in ice coverage by a tremendous amount, with the other Great Lakes only boasting less than 30% ice coverage.
I visited the lake almost exactly a month ago, and while the beach was snow-covered and a little ice had formed, the waves were mostly free to flow. Here are the photos I took at that “warmer” expedition at the Headlands beach.
Now, for the main event, these are the photos I took just recently, with Lake Erie at an amazing +90% ice coverage.
Notice how the photos I took a month ago were full of punchy blue colors, wispy skies, and gentle snow. These recent photos, however, capture a sinister, bleak, and gray environment. I can confirm, the winds that seemed incessant on blowing me over were not kind. I forgot to bring gloves, forcing me to be quick with the framing and capturing if my photos. Usually I can deal with the cold, but with piercing winds of that speed blasting snow, ice, and frigid air onto my unprotected face and hands, my trip had to be short.
On a day where the winds are not as relentless and the temperature not so blistering, I highly recommend you check out Lake Erie and its ice covered body.
