In 2024 the Great Lakes recorded the 9th lowest percentage of ice cover for the month of January

Average area of the five Great Lakes covered in ice over the month of January since 1973

Januarys with the least ice coverage

2002

2021

2023

2007

2012

2006

1995

2020

2024

6.1%

2017

0

25

50

75

100%

18.1% average from 1973 to 2023

Januarys with the most ice coverage

1977

1981

1994

2014

1979

2009

1984

1982

1978

1986

Avg

0

25

50

75

100%

Januarys with the least ice coverage

2002

2021

2023

2007

2012

2006

1995

2020

2024

6.1%

2017

0

25

50

75

100%

18.1% average from 1973 to 2023

Januarys with the most ice coverage

1977

1981

1994

2014

1979

2009

1984

1982

1978

1986

Avg

0

25

50

75

100%

Januarys with the least ice coverage

2002

2021

2023

2007

2012

2006

1995

2020

2024

6.1%

2017

0

25

50

75

100%

18.1% average from 1973 to 2023

Januarys with the most ice coverage

1977

1981

1994

2014

1979

2009

1984

1982

1978

1986

Avg

0

25

50

75

100%

Januarys with the

least ice coverage

Januarys with the

most ice coverage

2002

1977

2021

1981

1994

2023

2007

2014

2012

1979

2006

2009

1984

1995

2020

1982

2024

1978

6.1%

1986

2017

0

25

50

75

100%

0

25

50

75

100%

18.1% average

from 1973 to 2023

Avg

Januarys with the

least ice coverage

Januarys with the

most ice coverage

2002

1977

2021

1981

1994

2023

2007

2014

2012

1979

2006

2009

1984

1995

2020

1982

2024

1978

6.1%

1986

2017

0

25

50

75

100%

0

25

50

75

100%

18.1% average

from 1973 to 2023

Avg